In his speech to the legislature in 1818, Mr. Clinton states: - The fund appropriated to common schools consist of about one million of dollars, and eighty thousand acres of land. The income for distribution this year is 60,000 dollars. Having participated in the first establishment of the Lancasterian system in this country, having carefully observed its progress, and witnessed its benefits, I can confidently recommend it as an invaluable improvement, which by a wonderful combination of economy in expense, and rapidity of instruction, has created a new era in education; and I am desirous that all our common schools should be supplied with teachers of this description. As this system operates with the same efficacy in education, that labour-saving machinery does in the useful arts, it will be readily perceived that it is peculiarly adapted to this country.

For if by this means one teacher can perform the function of ten, and if a pupil can learn in one week as much as he would in one month in the common way, it is evident that more wealth, more labour, more time, and more industry, can be devoted to the ordinary occupations of life without interfering with the dispensation of knowledge. Wherever it has been attempted, it has succeeded, and several parts of the state have experienced its benefits. Competent teachers can be educated for this express purpose, and in sufficient number to supply all our common schools, by sending intelligent young men to the Lancasterian seminaries in New-York, where they will be instructed gratuitously, and where in the course of a few months they will acquire sufficient knowledge of the system. Appropriations for this purpose by the several common schools out of their portion of the general fund, under the direction of the superintendant, will defray the small expense attending the attainment of this important object.

In that of 1822, he again adverts to this subject: - "The Lancasterian or monitorial system, or, as it has been emphatically denominated, the system of mutual instruction, is making its way in the community by the force of its transcendent merits. Our common schools have flourished beyond all former example: and our higher institutions, the seats of literature and science, continue to maintain the respectable character which they have so honourably acquired. Having in the course of the last year had an opportunity from personal observation to witness the progress of Columbia College, I cannot omit, on this occasion, to express the high sense which I entertain of the able superintendence of the trustees, of the learning and attention of the president and professors, and of the laudable advances of the students; and my intelligence from the other colleges is also propitious to the progress of knowledge, and honourable to those venerable and distinguished men who watch over their interests.

"I am happy to have it in my power to say that this state has always evinced a liberal spirit in the promotion of education, and I am persuaded that no considerations short of total inability will ever prevent similar demonstrations. The first duty of a state is to render its citizens virtuous by intellectual instruction and moral discipline, by enlightening their minds, purifying their hearts, and teaching them their rights and their obligations. Those solid and enduring honours which arise from the cultivation of science and the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge, will outlive the renown of the statesman, and the glory of the warrior: and if any stimulus were wanting in a case so worthy of all our attention and patronage, we may find it in the example before our eyes, of the author of the declaration of independence, who has devoted the evening of his illustrious life to the establishment of an university in his native state."

In his speech of 1825, he thus again addresses the two houses, demonstrating, if any thing were still wanting, how intensely the subject was connected with his feelings, and how prominent a place it held among his multifarious occupations.

"The number of children taught in our common schools during the last year exceeds 400,000, and is probably more than one-fourth of our whole population. Ten thousand three hundred and eighty-three have been instructed in the free and charity schools in the city of New-York, a number by no means proportioned to the wants of its population. The students in the incorporated academies amount to about 2,683, and in the colleges to 755.

"The fund for the common schools may be stated at upwards of 1,739,000 dollars, and its annual income at 98,000 dollars; to which may be added the interest on the future sales of lands, and on the disposal of escheated property; the proceeds of which latter item may be added to the capital.

"However imposing this fund may appear, it is sufficiently obvious that it ought to be augmented. This state is capable of supporting fourteen millions of inhabitants. This appropriation will therefore soon be found far behind the progress of population, and the requisitions for instruction. Deeply impressed with the momentous nature of this department of our social policy to the cardinal interests of the state, I cannot withhold one important fact derived from past experience. Of the many thousands who have been instructed in our free schools in the city of New-York, there is not a solitary instance known of any one having been convicted of crimes. In furtherance of this invaluable system, I recommend to your consideration the education of competent teachers on the monitorial plan, its more general introduction, and the distribution of useful books."

From the last annual report of the superintendant of common schools, A.C. Flagg, Esq. made to the legislature of the state of New-York, in January, 1828, I have selected the following statements. While it exhibits the magnificence and efficiency of the system of public school instruction, it must constitute an enduring monument to the benevolent and generous zeal of its principal founder.

"There are 55 organised counties in the state, from the clerks of each of which returns have been received. It will be seen from these abstracts, that of the 742 towns and wards in the state, 741 have made reports according to law, and only one town is delinquent. This town is Bushwick, in the county of Kings.

"That there are in the towns which have made reports, 8,298 school districts, and consequently the like number of schools organised, and that returns have been received from 7,806 of those districts.

"That 179 new school districts have been formed during the year 1827, and that the number of districts which have made returns, exceeds that of the preceding year by 256.

"That there are in the districts whose trustees have made returns, 419,216 children between the ages of 5 and 15; and that in the common schools of the same districts, 441,856 children have been taught during the year 1827; the general average of instruction having been about eight months.

"The number of children instructed in the common schools, exceeds by 17,804, the whole number between the ages of 5 and 15 years. This estimate does not include the cities of New-York and Albany, where the children between 5 and 15 are not reported.

"The returns show an increase of 7,960, of the children between 5 and 15; and the number of children taught in the common schools, (New-York excepted) has increased 10,255 since the last annual report.

"In 1816, the number of children returned as instructed in the common schools, was 140,106; since which time the number taught has increased 301,750.

"Two hundred and twenty-two thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five dollars, and seventy-seven cents, have been paid to the several school districts during the year 1827: of this sum $100,000 were paid from the state treasury, $110,542.32 were raised by a tax upon the several towns in the state, and $12,453.45 were derived from a local fund which certain towns possess. It is required by the school law, that a sum shall be assessed upon the taxable inhabitants, equalling that which is apportioned to each town; and by a vote at town meeting, double the amount may be raised. Thus it will be seen, that the towns have raised by tax, $10,542.32 more than were required to entitle them to the public monies.

"The amount distributed among the several district schools, exceeds that of the preceding year by $37,275.31.

"The productive capital of the common school fund has been increased $256,121.50 during the past year, from the following sources, viz.:

1. " 'An act to provide permanent funds for the annual appropriation to common schools, to increase the literature fund, and to promote the education of teachers,' passed April 13, 1827, requires the transfer of the balance due on the loan of 1786, to the common school fund; and also $100,000 of the shares owned by the state, in the capital stock of any of the banks, at the par value thereof, to be selected by the comptroller, and appropriated to the same fund. The balance due on the loan of 1786, amounts to $33,616.19. The addition thus made to the capital of the common school fund, amounts to $133,616.19.

2. "By an act of the legislature, passed March 10, 1827, authorising the loan of the credit of the state, and the issuing of certificates of stock to the Hudson and Delaware Canal Company, it was provided that said stock should be sold at public auction, 'and the amount of any premium received on such sales, or on any sales of the said certificates, should be paid into the treasury, to be appropriated to the common school fund.' In pursuance of that act, $100,000 of said certificates were sold on the 6^th of November last, at a premium of 11 1/2 per cent., the nett proceeds of which amount to $11,478.25: and on the 11^th of December last, another $100,000 at a premium of 11 per cent., the nett proceeds being $10,978.25. On the 31^st of December, $100,000 of the same certificates were sold, at a premium of 8 3/4 per cent., being $8,750. The sum total credited to the capital of the common school fund from this source, is $31,156.50. The comptroller is authorised to issue stock to the amount of $500,000, and should the average sales of the remaining $200,000 be as favourable as the preceding, the school fund will receive a further augmentation of $20,770.66: making a total addition to the fund from this source, of $51,926.66.

3. "An act passed by the last legislature, authorised the commissioners of the land-office to make such alterations in the plans of the villages of East and West Oswego, as would in their opinion be for the interest of the state, and requiring that the sales of lots in said village should be at Oswego. Under this authority most of the lands belonging to the state at Oswego, were sold by the surveyor-general on the 18^th of July last. These sales amounted to $91,349. Prior to 1824, the lands belonging to the school fund at Oswego, were estimated at $15,000: and in 1827, a few weeks before the sale, these lands were appraised at 44,880 dollars. It will be seen that these lands were sold for more than double the appraised value; and that the increase from the estimate made previous to the commencement of the Oswego canal, has been 76,349 dollars: and a few lots still remain the property of the state.

"The capital of the common school fund is stated in the comptroller's report at $1,611,096. This includes only the premium on the first $100,000 of Hudson and Delaware stock. To this may now be added $19,728.25, the proceeds of the second and third sales, which make the actual productive capital of the school fund, $1,630,825. The revenue of the school fund for the last year has been $81,381.90. It is estimated by the comptroller for the next year, at $95,000.

"In addition to this fund, the constitution provides that 'the proceeds of all lands belonging to this state, which shall hereafter be sold or disposed of,' shall belong to the fund for the support of common schools. The lands embraced in this provision are computed at 880,000 acres, and valued at $411,288: this sum added to the productive capital, will give a total of $2,042,113.05.

"In several of the counties, there is a local fund for the use of schools. This fund is derived from reservations made by the state for the use of schools in granting certain tracts of land. Seventy-eight towns in this state are reported as having participated in this local fund, the total amount of which is $12,453.45.

On the education of suitable teachers the report says: - "To elevate the standard of education in the common schools, it is indispensable that the qualifications of teachers should be improved. The inhabitants of the school districts ought to be impressed with the great importance of affording such compensation, as will induce men of good talents to fit themselves for the situation of teachers, as a profession for life. The character and usefulness of the schools, are immediately dependent upon the qualifications of the instructors.

"Connected with the subject of training up competent teachers for the common schools, it may not be inappropriate to notice the provisions of an act passed at the last session of the legislature, 'to increase the literature fund, and to promote the education of teachers.' This act appropriates 150,000 dollars, to be added to the literature fund; and requires the distribution of the income of that fund among the incorporated academies and seminaries, 'in proportion to the number of pupils instructed in each, for six months during the preceding year, who shall have pursued classical studies, or the higher branches of English education.' Heretofore, the apportionment has been confined to the number of students pursuing classical studies. The increase of the literature fund, and the extension of its benefits to all such pupils as are pursuing the higher branches of English education, will tend to multiply the number of those who will be qualified to instruct in the common schools, and to encourage the academies in becoming nurseries of teachers."

In noticing the services of Mr. Clinton in behalf of the common schools, one who could well appreciate them thus writes: - "As the patron and zealous supporter of the system of instruction and education in the common schools, he will be entitled to the sincerest respect and gratitude of the present and future generations. To this favourite object he devoted every faculty of his mind and body, exerting himself to the utmost of his powers, and stimulating others by every motive and argument that his ingenuity could urge or suggest. In almost all his messages to the legislature, this important subject held a prominent place: and there are abundant reasons for believing, that it is in a great measure owing to his constant exertions, and his unwearied perseverance, that the school fund, and the common schools, are at the present time in so flourishing a condition."

While the foregoing pages were in press, I have been favoured with a communication from the Hon. A.C. Flagg, the Secretary of State, bearing date February 4^th, 1829, in reference to the school fund during the year 1828; he has obligingly furnished me with the following memorandum, embracing the results contained in his last report as recently presented to the legislature.

"The foundation of the school fund was laid in 1805, on the recommendation of Morgan Lewis, whose message is to be found in the assembly journals of that year. In 1811, Governor Tompkins appointed five commissioners, viz. Jedediah Peck, John Murray, jun. Samuel Russell, Roger Skinner, and Robert Macomb, to devise a system for the common schools. This commission reported in 1812, as you will see by reference to the journals of the assembly in that year.

"The results contained in the annual report for the past year, are as follows: 8609 school districts in the state; 8164 districts have made returns this year; $232,343.21 have been paid to the common schools; 468,205 scholars have been taught in the common schools during the year, the general amount of instruction having been about eight months; there are 449,113 children between 5 and 15, in the school districts which have made returns."

----------------------------------------

Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/22/99.