W. H. Young to Unknown

[with Mrs. Mary E. Spencer letter 12/9/64]

A HOME AND EDUCATION FOR THE SOLDIER'S CHILD.

The rapid increase of applications to the NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEER INSTITUTE, and the constant demand upon the public for charities growing out of the war, has induced its Proprietors to adopt such means of raising funds for its maintenance and support as may in a measure relieve those disposed to aid the enterprise, by changing an actual donation to a purchase, which shall at one and the same time be assisting a noble cause, and prove a profitable investment.

This Institution was established some fifteen months since, by Mrs. F. LEWELLYN YOUNG, at Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, N. Y., for the purpose of furnishing a home to, and educating, the sons of deceased or disabled Officers and Soldiers, left destitute by the casualties of war, and whose fathers were stricken down in defence of the Union, and if the requisite funds can be obtained it will be made a NATIONAL INSTEAD OF A STATE INSTITUTION.

The education imparted at this Institution is of a solid, practical character, and military science and drill constitute an especial feature, fitting the cadets for any position that they may be called upon to fill in after life.

That the field of usefulness may be enlarged by accommodating the increasing number of orphan children an appeal is made to the army and the public to aid this noble work of benevolence, and it is believed that such an appeal cannot fail to meet a hearty and generous response from all.

No Institution in the country is more richly deserving the sympathy and charity of the public than this, and none is doing more good than this, though yet in its infancy. Every patriotic citizen should feel that in bestowing charity here he is relieving the wants and sufferings of children--the children of those men who faced the enemies of our common country, fought the minions of rebellion, and gave up their lives as a holy sacrifice.

Shall it be said that the country was ungrateful for these sacrifices, that the orphan children of our soldiers were neglected and left to want and misery in consequence of the ingratitude of a people for whose freedom their fathers died?

In order, therefore, to furnish shelter, food, clothing, and a liberal education to these children we propose to ask fifty thousand subscriptions at two dollars each. Each subscriber will receive the full value of his money in a fine large steel-plate Portrait of either the

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, LIEUT.-GEN. GRANT, OR ANY OF THE CORPS COMMANDERS,

That may be designated, and also a CERTIFICATE representing a SHARE in the distribution of a number of

Farms, Houses, and Lots in and near the City of New York;

THE DISTRIBUTION

To take place on Washington's Birthday, February 22d, 1865,

On the Plan of the Art Union, and all the Profits accruing to be devoted to the BENEFIT OF THE INSTITUTION mentioned.

The portraits referred to are reckoned among the finest works of art in this country. The engraver--J. C. BUTURE, Esq., of New York City--has secured a very enviable reputation, and he pronounces these works the best that he has ever produced.

THE INSTITUTION HAS THE ENDORSEMENT OF

EX-PRESIDENT MILLARD FILLMORE, HON. ELI COOK, of Buffalo, HIS EXCELLENCY HORATIO SEYMOUR, MAJ. GEN. JOSEPH HOOKER, HON. F. P. STEVENS, BRIG. GEN. G. A. SCROGGS, MAJ. GEN. J. A. WADSWORTH, REV. DR. MCMURDY, L. L. D., V. M. RICE, Esq., Sup't of Public Instruction, State of N. Y., REV. DR. INGERSOLL, and many other gentlemen of high standing.

Col. YOUNG has appointed as the Treasurer of this Association, Capt. HENRY R. RANDALL, late of the 14th N. Y. Artillery, who is authorized to obtain subscriptions. For that purpose he has opened an Office in the City of New York, and his address is P. O. Box 4,262, New York City.

Agencies for the enterprise will also be established in every town in the country.

The following is a schedule of the valuable parcels of Real Estate to be distributed on Washington's Birthday, February 22d, 1865, among the subscribers to the N. Y. S. Vol. Institute, in addition to the finely finished steel-plate portraits of the President of the United States, Lieut. Gen. Grant, and the Corps Commanders, viz: Twenty acre Farm on Staten Island, near New York, with dwelling house and out-buildings; Twenty-three acre Farm on Staten Island, with dwelling house and out-buildings, location pleasant; Eleven acres of Farming Land on Staten Island, under a fine state of improvement; Eleven Building Lots in the City of New York; Eighteen acre Farm on Staten Island, with good improvements and out-building; Two Houses and Lots in the City of Brooklyn.

For a more particular description of this property, reference is made to JAMES RIDGWAY, No. 32 Pine Street, New York.

Col. W. H. YOUNG, President. C. A. THOMPSON, Sec. CAPT. H. R. RANDALL, Treasurer.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. CAPT. JAS. LOUNT, Suspension Bridge. A. P. FLOYD, Niagara Falls. THOS. R. GRENAN, Esq., Rochester. WM. H. WESTAWAY, New York.

N.B.--All money, packages, and communications for this enterprise, must be addressed to "Capt. H. R. Randall, Treasurer, P. O. box 4,262, New York City."