United States, for the preparation of various works, and especially for proposing plans of works adapted to the purposes of the Society.

A Library for Mechanics, another for Farmers, one for Seamen, one for Children, &c. &c. will engage attention so soon as they can be advantageously commenced. Some of the proposed works, it is intended to carry through the press as speedily as they can be prepared.

It is expected also that the Secretary will proceed to Europe, to obtain in England and France such facilities as can be commanded there, for the efficient prosecution of the objects in view. He will confer extensively with authors, publishers, and publishing institutions, purchase books, and make such inquiries in respect to stereotype plates, cuts, engravings and artists, as shall enable the Society to avail itself of all the advantages which can be derived from that quarter, in carrying forward its designs.

It is expected that in the ensuing autumn, the Society will be prepared, after having received the Report of the Secretary, and examined such works and plans of works as shall be laid before them during the summer, to exhibit to the community a somewhat extended outline of their proposed operations. In the interim, they ask the co-operation of the friends of the Society, in raising a few thousand dollars to sustain these preliminary movements, and enable the Committee to carry on efficiently those parts of the plan which require immediate action.

The Executive Committee respectfully invite the attention of 'American philanthropists to this subject, and solicit their aid and co-operation in the great work proposed. They believe that the magnitude and importance of this undertaking justify the expectation that an enlightened and benevolent community will cheerfully furnish the necessary funds to prosecute the enterprise.

The Committee earnestly solicit that consideration of the subject, which its importance deserves, and will gladly receive from the reader of this Prospectus, such aid as he may be willing to render

By order of the Executive Committee.

GORHAM D. ABBOTT, Secretary.

New. York, May 1, 1837.

APPENDIX.

THE CIRCULAR.

The following is a copy of the Circular Letter addressed to gentlemen in different parts of the country, by the Committee appointed to draw up a constitution for an American Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.*

"SIR: A meeting of citizens has recently been held in this city, for the purpose of considering the present condition of the American Press; the prospects of our country, as likely to be affected by its influence; and the practicability and expediency of establishing a National Institution, on an extended scale, for the Diffusion of Knowledge, in connexion with pure and salutary principles, similar in its structure and design to European Societies for the same purpose. A Committee was appointed at that meeting to draft a Constitution for such a Society, and to take measures to secure extensively the union and systematic co-operation of wise and good men in every section of our country, in furtherance of the principles and objects it is designed to promote. As that Committee, we take the liberty of addressing you, respectfully inviting your attention to this subject, and your counsel and aid in the great work proposed.

It is universally acknowledged that the PRESS is the most powerful agent now acting on the human mind. That our country is to be a field where its power will be pre-eminently exerted, is equally clear. The extensive circulation of newspapers, magazines, and other publications of every description, is creating among our population a general habit of reading hitherto unparalleled in the history of nations; and it inevitably follows, that individual and national character will, in a great measure be formed, by the kind of publications which gain the most general circulation among us; and that consequently, the destinies of our country, and its influence on other nations, will very much depend on the direction which may now be given to the PRESS.

The principle adopted by the Committee, is that the Universal Diffusion of Knowledge, imbued with the spirit of Christianity, is indispensable for bringing any people to the full enjoyment of the best civil and social institutions. And that, in a country whose institutions depend for their prosperity and stability, not on the arm of power, but solely on the elevating and conservative influence of a pure, enlightened, and well regulated public mind, where the VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS SUPREME LAW, the importance of diffusing information connected with sound and virtuous principles cannot be overrated. Intelligence and Christian principle constitute the palladium of American liberty.

Among the incidental advantages that may be expected to follow from the labours of this Society, will be the increased attention it will naturally excite towards the cause of Education. Already a deep interest throughout our land, in the subject of Universal Education, based upon the principles of the Bible, has begun to appear, and the importance of a more liberal and expansive provision for the wants of our rising population is imperatively felt. The mass of uncultivated mind rising up among us, of foreign as well as of native origin, indicates the necessity of some more adequate system for the mental and moral improvement of the community.

It is known that a large proportion of our juvenile population is coming forward with the rapidity of time, to exercise the rights and perform the duties of American citizens, without any adequate culture either of mind or heart. With multitudes of such character about to exert their influence on the state of society, what can be expected, but

that they will fill our cities and villages with crime, and our whole land with the evils and the sorrows attending an ignorant, vicious, and unprincipled population.

In some other countries, less favoured than ours, may be found a far more liberal and generous provision for the instruction of the people, than exists among us, if we take into view the whole extent of our territory and the aggregate of our population; and the Committee feel convinced, that the moral and intellectual condition of the people, even in the most favoured portions of our land, is below the standard which is requisite for the permanent prosperity of our Republican institutions. To extend, therefore, the means of diffusing widely among our people, USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, the Committee cannot but regard as an imperious duty devolving on every good citizen, as a Patriot, Philanthropist, and Christian."

In view of such considerations, it is proposed to establish a National Institution on the plan developed in the subjoined Constitution, to which the Committee particularly invite your attention. They also solicit your views of the principles it involves; your opinion of the probable reception, by the community at large, of publications to be issued under such sanctions; and of the sympathy and co-operation, both of a literary and pecuniary nature, in your district of country, which such an enterprise may be likely to secure.

REPLIES.

The following extracts are from the replies received by the Committee:

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. VROOM, SOMERVILLE, N. J.

I have long thought such an institution was greatly needed; and, if I can judge rightly of the moral tendency of those agents which are now operating most strongly in the formation of character in our country, I should say, there is no time to be lost. The influence of the press is becoming very powerful,- especially the periodical press. And we cannot but be sensible, that in too many instances, it is prostituted to the basest purposes. Periodical productions, whether they be books, magazines, or newspapers, which circulate most extensively among the least informed classes of society, will necessarily accomplish much for good or for evil. And it is much to be lamented, that among them, there are so many of a decidedly irreligious and immoral character. These are read by the young, the inexperienced, and the ignorant. They almost strip vice of its deformity and crime of guilt. Skepticism and infidelity are encouraged, if not openly inculcated, and every ligament of moral principle unloosed. How shall this crying evil be met? The press mast not be muzzled. Freedom of thought and speech, and the liberty of the press mong our most sacred inheritances, and they cannot be abridged. I see no other than for truth and virtue and religion

to make use of the same mighty engine, und wield it with all the energy and force they can command. The antidote must quickly follow, if it do not accompany or precede the poison. The friends of order must act in concert, and under a deep sense of the responsibilities that rest upon them.

- and upon a scale so I will not entertain a

I rejoice that action has commenced on this important subject, broad and liberal, as to invite the co-operation of all good men. doubt of its success; for I think there is enough of soundness and intelligence in public sentiment to sustain it, and sustain it well.

How the objects of the Association may be most effectually promoted and attained, is a matter on which there may be an honest difference of opinion. Without going into detail, I would give it as my judgement, that the press should be made subservient to the best interests of all ranks in society, as far as practicable. A purifying process is needed throughout. There is too much corruption in the popular literature of the day, even of the higher order. A pure standard should be raised, and every effort should be made to render it attractive. In literature of a lower grade, there is much to condemn, and something to approve. What is good should be cherished, and strong efforts should be made through the medium of very cheap, popular, and well executed publications, to counteract what is bad, and reform public taste and sentiment.

Whatever form or shape the publications are made to assume, I deem it indispensable,

that they should all rest on the broad basis of the Bible. Among a Christian people, no system of education or instruction should be countenanced, that is not founded on the great principles of the Christian religion. They are essential to the preservation of morality, order and good government. Civil liberty has no security without them.

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. EVERETT, CHARLESTOWN, MASS.

The principles set forth in the circular have my full concurrence. The evils alluded to, have long been felt and witnessed by me, with serious apprehension;-and could the proposed remedy be applied with spirit and concert, I have no reason to doubt it would be effectual.

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUT. Gov. ROBERTSON, RICHMOND, VA.

It is impossible to contemplate the Press in any light less imposing than that in which you exhibit it. It is, indeed, as it exists in this country, with no preventive, and scarce adequate corrective checks, the master-power that is to impress finally, and rapidly beyond any other influence, a permanent character on the people of the United States, whether as individuals or a nation; and, through them, on all our institutions, political, social, and religious. According to the direction that shall be given to it, we shall be a wise, virtuous, happy, and united people, or a prey to jealousies and dissensions, carrying disquiet and apprehension to the bosom of every citizen, and entailing, ultimately, degradation and wretchedness on the whole country. It is, then, most worthy the wise and good to unite their efforts, and put forth all their strength, to direct this great engine to beneficent ends; to give all possible efficiency and expansion to its power to do good, and interpose every practicable check to its capacity for evil. No mode more likely to effect this noble object seems to have presented itself to the reflections of the Philanthropist, here, or in Europe, than the one which you, Gentlemen, have the honour first to have projected in the New World, and which you now submit to public acceptance. For one, I hail the projected experiment with the greatest cordiality, and shall watch its progress with the most fervent aspirations for its signal success. I cannot doubt but that similar aspirations will accompany the incipient Institution among all who love their country, or love their kind, throughout the wide limits of the Republic. In this district of country, the friends of Useful Knowledge and of a pure morality, will, I am sure, give cordial welcome and support to a society, proposing to itself the accomplishment of the great object which they, too, have so much at heart-the enlightening of the public mind, and the amelioration of public morals.

Please to enrol me as a Life Member. On the organization of the Society, the proper officer may draw on me for the amount of my Subscription.

FROM HON. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, NEWARK, N. J.

I regard the plan as one of the happiest promise. The demand for such a moral agency is urgent indeed: and I rejoice that this movement has been made, to meet a crisis in our country, full of interest and danger. The principle adopted by the Committee, that the Universal Diffusion of Knowledge imbued with the spirit of Christianity, is indispensable for the full enjoyment of the best civil and social institutions, must commend itself to every mind, that has in any degree reflected on our condition and prospects. As to the probable reception of publications to be issued under the sanction of the proposed Society, I cannot doubt that this district of country will generally give them a cordial welcome, and cheerfully aid in sustaining the enterprise.

FROM REV. ABIEL HOLMES, D.D. CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

For myself, I hesitate not a moment to give my unqualified approbation of your proposal, and of the plan set forth in the Constitution of the Society. To me it ap

pears, that you have chosen the most solid materials for the basis of the proposed edifice, and columns of the highest order for the support of the superstructure. If it receive merited patronage, it bids fair to be a fabric of national utility and glory, and of a permanency coeval with the continuance of our Republic. Your illustration of the subject needs no additional comment. The reasons which you assign for such an Institution as you propose, will, I hope, be convincing to the community, and secure its cooperation. The principle which you have adopted, "That the Universal Diffusion of Knowledge, imbued with the spirit of Christianity, is indispensable for bringing any people to the full enjoyment of the best civil and social institutions,"-is, in my view, incontrovertible; and while your adoption of it, is a pledge of high importance to the Christian portion of the community, it encourages the best hopes of all intelligent and honest citizens. All are alike concerned in the preservation of freedom; all, therefore, who accord with you in the just sentiment, that "Intelligence and Christian principle constitute the palladium of American liberty," must feel interested in the success of your benevolent and patriotic enterprise. That it may receive the patronage of the American people, and the benediction of HIM who "ruleth among the nations," and who only can *"command the blessing," is the sincere wish, and will be the fervent prayer, of Yours, &c.

FROM JAMES WADSWORTH, Esq. GENESEO, N. Y.

The object of the proposed Association appears to me to be most praise-worthy, and without making any further inquiries, I shall ask the privilege of becoming a life member. The constitution and prospectus appear to be drawn up with great care and ability. I send you by the Newspaper-mail a little pamphlet, which contains detailed reports respecting the moral and literary effects of the School District Library; please lay it before the Directors, and if after examination, the facts set forth in the reports do not convince them of the necessity and importance of preparing a School District Library, to be compiled with great care, and with special reference to the intellectual, moral, and religious instruction of our youth, and vended at the cheapest rate, it will be idle for me to add a single word. Please to say, respectfully, to the opulent Directors, that if we have not the spirit, during this plethory of wealth, to make the experiment, when will it ever be made?

FROM HON. CHIEF JUSTICE HORNBLOWER, NEWARK, N. J.

The plan meets my cordial approbation, and shall receive all the aid as well pecuniary as otherwise, that my limited means will permit.

I have not time to express my views of the principles of the Institution in detail, but only to say, that if those principles are acted upon in good faith, as no doubt they will be, the Society cannot fail to prove a blessing to our country and the world; and will, I have no doubt, receive the patronage and support of the enlightened, benevolent, and patriotic portion of the Society in which my lot is cast, and of the moral and Christian community in general.

FROM HON. P. P. BARBOUR, FRscati, Va.

I have no hesitation in saying that it meets my decided approbation. Abstractly, I should consider it a sound principle in politics, that no government like ours, founded upon public opinion, can permanently stand, unless the community, on whom it is to operate, be virtuous and enlightened. The truth of this principle is proclaimed alike, by the writings of wise men and the voice of experience, which has been justly called the "mistress of the world." Although in most of the states, and Virginia amongst them, some provision is made by law for the support of education; yet, in none is it so complete, as not to need all the collateral aids which it can receive. Amongst them, I know none promising to be more efficient than the proposed scheme. There is a large portion of the population of even the most favoured country, who have not leisure for a regular systematic course of study. To all such, there is great value, in productions issuing from the press, under the auspices of such a society as is proposed,