would operate most beneficially in deterring patients from making their escape, whilst it would ensure the recapture of such as might elope.

The other point which we deem worthy of your attention, consists in the fact that a considerable number of our inmates are pauper citizens of other states. These, having wandered into Virginia, and being found so insane as to be either dangerous to the community or incapable of self-protection, were properly committed, by those having authority, to this asylum. In all such cases, we have found the unfortunate individual to be incurably insane; and whenever we have succeeded in tracing his history and discovering his home, have been satisfied that the malady had existed for years, and that his friends are unwilling to relieve the state of the burthen of his support. There are at this time patients of this class in the institution from Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee and North Carolina, besides others whose former residence has not been ascertained; all of these, as above remarked, are incurable, and unless they can be returned to their friends or to the state of which they are citizens, will not only continue a tax upon the resources of Virginia, but by their presence here must exclude from the benefits of the asylum some of our own fellow-citizens who might otherwise be admitted and restored to reason and usefulness. I submit it therefore to the wisdom of the directors, whether it should not be recommended to the legislature to enact some law which would authorize, whenever the residence of such patients be clearly ascertained, that they be sent back to the place whence they strayed.

But few circumstances connected with our official position has afforded us a higher degree of gratification than that the capacity of the institution had enabled us for more than two years to consent to receive all of our afflicted fellow-citizens for whose admission here application was made. This pleasure, however, has in some degree been marred within the last few months, in consequence of the apartments at times being so much crowded as to render it impracticable to add to the number of our inmates; under a painful necessity thus created, we have responded negatively to three male applicants. It affords us pleasure to add, however, that vacancies occurred very soon after each of these applicants were rejected, of which their friends were promptly apprised. Two of the individuals were subsequently brought to the asylum, and the other has not arrived only because his relations have declined for the present sending him from home. Applications have been received in behalf of both sexes under the law of last session authorizing pay patients under certain restrictions to be admitted from other states; but we have not felt at liberty to respond affirmatively to any such male applicant, and have received but two females: one of these from the state of North Carolina, and the other from Maryland; the first recovered her health and has left us for the enjoyment of home and friends; the other, although improved, cannot be much longer detained, as her apartment must soon be needed for some one of our own citizens. We would be remiss in duty and censurable for failing to deal candidly with those who look to this institution for information in regard to the wants and interest of a large class of human sufferers throughout our state, did we fail here to suggest to the court of directors the importance of procuring from the present legislature an appropriation with which the buildings may be enlarged and facilities afforded for accommodating a considerable additional number of patients. As already reported there are now in the asylum two hundred and seventeen patients. By detracting probably too much from the comfort of these, we may receive ten others; but more than this number of applicants is now on file and have been written for, with the exception of three individuals whose applications have but recently reached us. We are not apprised as to the number of patients in the Eastern asylum; but take it for granted that if its apartments are not fully occupied they soon must be.

The last census exhibited the fact that there were then in Virginia, one thousand and forty-eight white citizens insane and idiotic. This number, large as it might have seemed to some, was ascertained to be in all probability much below what a more particular examination into the subject would have developed. But, admitting the statement as therein presented to have been correct, admitting too, what is surely improbable, that this malady has not increased during the intervening period; deduct 25 per cent. as idiotic, and consequently not proper subjects for a lunatic asylum; and this will leave seven hundred and eighty-six insane white persons to be provided for either by their friends or by the commonwealth. The asylums can accommodate only about three hundred and seventy-five of these, and consequently there remain upward of four hundred, for whom their friends, however much disposed, could not obtain the advantages to be found alone in such institutions without sending them beyond the confines of their native or adopted state. It is by no means probable that the discharges and deaths here will be commensurate with the future demand for apartments; such never has been the case, and circumstances fully justify the opinion that it will not be at least until the capacity of the buildings is more nearly proportioned to the number of our citizens who may be likely to claim a participation in its benefits. The admissions frequently, and the applications invariably, heretofore have exceeded the discharges. In 1845, ninety-two patients were admitted, and only fifty-five discharged; and during the present year ninety-two have been also admitted and fifty-seven discharged. On referring to the statement exhibiting the prospect for recovery in all the cases now here, it will be perceived that one hundred and eighty-seven are deemed incurable, and consequently will, in all probability, remain here until death releases them; of the remainder, the prospect in reference to twenty-three is doubtful, and only seven of the cases are considered as certainly curable. It must therefore be inferred, as probable at least, that the discharges during the year just about to commence, will not equal in number those of the past and present year; whilst it may with certainty be anticipated that the number seeking admission into the asylum will be as great if it should not exceed that of former years.

No fact has been more satisfactorily demonstrated in connection with such institutions than that in proportion as the number of inmates is increased is the average cost of supporting them diminished; and what has been thus exemplified in the general, would be realized to a remarkable extent, in any further enlargement of this establishment. Indeed we hazard nothing in the assurance that by erecting such additions as a wise policy would suggest, and sound discretion sanction, one hundred and eighty additional patients might be accommodated here, with a very trifling increase of expenditure over what would be necessary for supplying them food and clothing. In addition to arguments derived from the necessity which exists for such an appropriation, enforced too by considerations of economy, much might be urged on the score of justice and humanity. We cannot however suppose that a Virginia legislature will, at the present day, stop to enquire further in regard to so benevolent a recommendation, after being satisfied that the provision heretofore made in the two asylums has proved inadequate to the important object designed. Nor will we believe that they will consent, by failing to make such appropriation promptly, to create again the cruel necessity of immuring their unfortunate fellow-citizens in the common prison-houses of the country; thereby subjecting them to privations and tortures which can be contemplated but with horror, and affixing to the fair fame of our good old commonwealth, a blot from which it has been the proud boast of her philanthropic sons for several years past, that she had been fortunately relieved and was likely to remain free.

The two large detached buildings now appropriated to our second class of patients could be enlarged very conveniently and to great advantage. That occupied by the males is four stories; and the other, occupied by females, is three stories in height. Of course any addition to either should correspond with it in dimensions, style of architecture, general arrangement, &c. In order that the directors might be enabled to report accurately to the legislature the sum which would be required for the purpose, we have procured estimates from an experienced and competent architect, which we know to have been made out with care, and are entitled to the fullest confidence. These shew that for twenty thousand dollars, the four story building may be so enlarged as to accommodate with comfortable bed-rooms, ample halls, dining rooms, water closets and other necessary conveniences, one hundred additional male patients; and for the further sum of sixteen thousand dollars, the three story building may be enlarged so as to accommodate with equal comfort about eighty additional female patients.

Should these additions be authorized, this establishment will then accommodate about four hundred insane inmates, and will be as extensive as in all probability it may be deemed prudent ever to make it. And by a corresponding enlargement of the Eastern asylum, it is to be sincerely hoped that the two will be found ample for the accommodation of all the insane of the commonwealth, whose friends may deem it necessary, or may desire to place them in such institutions.

We will simply suggest here that should the legislature for any reason fail to make the appropriation recommended, they will but conform to the dictates of a wise policy, sanctioned by experience, and confirmed by considerations of humanity, should they enact some regulation by which apartments in the institution can always be secured for those unfortunates who are so violent as to render confinement and restraint indispensable. And also for such as may be labouring under the malady in that stage or degree which may render it probable that by a timely and judicious use of means, to be alone found in asylums, they may be restored to reason and usefulness. This of course can only be accomplished properly by authorizing vacancies to be created by the removal of such as have been ascertained to be incurable, and who are known to be so entirely harmless as to render restraint unnecessary.

We are once more allowed the pleasure of acknowledging our obligations to the editorial corps, for their continued manifestations of regard. We can assure each and all of our kind friends that their favours are highly valued by those for whom they are designed. The following papers and periodicals have been regularly received, viz: Religious Herald, Christian Advocate, Republican, Enquirer, Whig, Times and Messenger, Richmond; Southern Churchman, Alexandria; Methodist Protestant, Baltimore; Weekly Messenger, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; Episcopal Recorder, Philadelphia; Medical Library, ditto; Olive Branch, Boston; Intelligencer, Union, (through Capt. Claiborne,) Washington City; Daily Whig, Utica, New York; Civilian, Cumberland, Maryland; Gazette, Lexington; Star, ditto,_ (occasionally;) Republican, Winchester; Spectator, Democrat, Staunton; Transcript, Harbinger, Wellsburg; Register, Republican, Harrisonburg; Republican, Kanawha; Advocate, Republican, Charlottesville; Messenger, Wytheville; Democrat, Whig, Fincastle; Free Press, Spirit of Jefferson, Charlestown; Virginian, Lynchburg; Intelligencer, Republican, (occasionally,) Petersburg; Flag of '98, Warrenton; Gazette, Martinsburg; Chronicle, Leesburg; Telegraph, (occasionally,) Wheeling; Gazette, Parkersburg; Sentinel, Woodstock; Banner, Arkansas.

To Miss R. P. Burwell of Winchester, and Capt. William Claiborne of Richmond, are our thanks due for a number of valuable books and periodicals which constitute quite an accession to our library.

We should do violence to our own feelings and injustice certainly to our associate officers and the attendants, did we fail to award them our grateful thanks for their kind and watchful attention to those who have been entrusted by confiding friends and a generous public to our united charge. And to the court of directors and executive committee, we cannot say less than that their oft-repeated evidences of confidence, and manifestations of courtesy, have been duly appreciated and will ever be gratefully remembered.

December 31st, 1846.

FRA'S T. STRIBLING,

Phys. and Sup. W. A.

individuals for board, &c. of patients, after deducting treasurer's comm'n, 6,047 58

(( for sundry articles sold by steward,

360 463

29,816 001

QUARTERLY REPORTS

OF THE

BANK OF VIRGINIA, FARMERS BANK AND NORTHWESTERN BANK.

SIR,

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
JANUARY 23, 1847.

I transmit herewith, for the information of the general assembly, quarterly reports of the Bank of Virginia, the Farmers Bank and the Northwestern Bank, shewing the condition of those institutions, with their branches, on the 1st instant, as compared with their condition on the 1st of January 1846. You will be pleased to lay the same before the house of delegates.

To the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Very respectfully,

Your ob't serv't,

WM. SMITH.

SIR,

CONDITION OF THE BANK OF VIRGINIA.

BANK OF VIRGINIA,

RICHMOND, January 11th, 1847.

I transmit herewith the quarterly statement of the condition of this bank, as it existed on the 1st inst.

I am, respectfully, your ob't serv't,

To his Excellency WILLIAM SMITH,

Governor of Virginia.

SAM'L MARX, Cash'r.

General state of the BANK OF VIRGINIA and Branches, on the first day of January 1847, compared with first January 1846.

The undersigned, directors of the Bank of Virginia, do certify that the foregoing statement has been examined by them, and is believed to be correct.

Richmond, January 11, 1847.

JAMES CASKIE,
THOMAS H. ELLIS,
ISAAC DAVENPORT,

JOHN J. LONDON,
WM. GRAY,
FRED. BRANSFORD.

STATE OF VIRGINIA, City of Richmond, scc:

This day Samuel Marx, cashier of the Bank of Virginia, personally appeared before me, an alderman of said city, and made oath that the foregoing statement exhibits the true condition of the Bank of Virginia, as it existed on the 1st instant, according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Given under my hand this 11th day of January 1847.

WM. ALLISON, J. P.