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Faithfully yours,
S. G. HOWE.

PROVIDENCE. Sept. 11, 1854.

My Dear Sir: -- I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the ceremonies at Syracuse. I am, however, deprived of this pleasure for two very satisfactory reasons. First, I did not receive the invitation until this evening and second, the occasion occurred on commencement week, when I must, by necessity, be at home. My interest is however no less in the noble charity which you so nobly superintend. I shall follow your future progress with increasing interest, and rejoice ever in your success.

I am, my dear sir, yours, very truly,
T. WAYLAND.

H. B. WILBUR, M. D.

APPENDIX, No. 2.

I have thought it desirable to append a note, to substantiate the assertions made in one of the reports of our asylum, and repeated in this address, relative to the labors of Dr. Backus, as a different impression has been conveyed through some of the public journals, growing out of the fact that similar efforts were made in the Massachusetts Legislature during the session of 1846.

The points that I wish to establish are, 1st: That the attempts at legislation in behalf of idiots in New-York preceded the similar attempts in Massachusetts. 2d. That the impulse of Dr. Backus' labors for that object was absolutely felt in the succeeding Massachusetts legislation.

As to the former, I remark, that on the 13th of January, 1846, Dr. Backus moved a reference of that portion of the census relating to idiots to the committee on medical societies, of which he was chairman. The next day (January 15th) he read a long and able report, Senate doc. No. 23) upon the subject, the materials for which had been collected before the commencement of the session. It argued the great necessity of an institution for idiots, from the large number and miserable condition of that class in the State of New-York; from the opinion of those most likely to be familiar with the subject, of the probable good results of such an institution, and especially from the actual success of similar institutions in Europe.

After thus breaking ground upon the subject and calling the attention of the members to a cause so novel, on the 25th of March he introduced a bill making an appropriation for the purchase of a site and the erection of buildings for an asylum for idiots. This was placing it at once upon the same footing with the other State charitable institutions. The further history of the legislation is given in the body of the address.

On the other hand, in Massachusetts, it was not till the 22d of January, 1846, that an order was adopted by the House, on the motion of Judge Byington, for the appointment of a committee to consider the expediency of appointing "commissioners on idiocy." On the 26th of March, Judge B., for the committee, reported a resolve for the appointment of such commissioners, and on the 15th of May they were appointed. That commission made a partial report in 1847, and a final one in 1848. Then, and not till then, was a bill introduced for the establishment of an experimental school for three years.

As to the latter point, that the impulse of Dr. Backus' labors was felt in the succeeding Massachusetts legislation, I submit. That on his election to the New-York Senate, he immediately commenced collecting the materials for a report upon this very subject. Among the individuals whom he consulted by letter, and whose opinions he thought would add weight to his statements and recommendation, was the late Dr. Woodward, of Massachusetts. His reply was embodied in that report. I give the following extract from it: "It is quite time for public provision to be made for them in this country, and the Empire State should and may easily set the example." Now this mode of expression would indicate that he had not then proposed to attempt the same thing, simultaneously in Massachusetts. But to those who had the pleasure of knowing him, it will be readily understood how a suggestion so philanthropic in its character would result in a prompt and hearty effort for the same object in a State with whose public charities he had always been identified.

I had it from the lips of Dr. Woodward that he was prompted to originate the movement in the Massachusetts Legislature by this correspondence with Dr. Backus.

That he did originate it there will be seen by an extract from a letter I have received from Judge Byington: "Dr.Woodward's first suggestion to me, in relation to making an effort to improve the condition of idiots was by letter. I had occasion to write to him soon after I went to Boston, in January, 1846. In his reply to me (relating to another subject,) he briefly called my attention to the subject. I immediately after introduced an order for the appointment of a committee, and one was appointed that resulted in the appointment of commissioners."

It should however be mentioned, as showing how in some measure this new form of charity, that had been so long needed, began to be felt as a want in the public mind in this country, that the attention of gentlemen connected with the previously existing charitable institutions, had been drawn to this subject to some extent and an impulse had from them been imparted to the community.