e and respectful
gratitude to you for the condescension you have manifested this
day in visiting this institution, which is one of the noblest
specimens of New York philanthropy. Here, sir, you behold
hundreds of the poor children of Africa sharing with those of a
lighter hue in the blessings of education; and while it will be
our pleasure to remember the great deeds you have done for
America, it will be our delight also to cherish the memory of
General Lafayette as a friend to African emancipation, and as a
member of this institution.'

"To which the general replied, in his own characteristic style,
'I thank you, my dear child.'

"Several of the pupils underwent short examinations, and one of
them explained the use of the globes and answered many questions
in geography."

PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR COLORED CHILDREN.

These schools continued to flourish under the same management, and
with an attendance varying from 600 in 1824 to 862 in 1832, in the
latter part of which year the Manumission Society, whose schools were
not in part supported by the public fund, applied to the Public School
Society for a committee of conference to effect a union. It was felt
by the trustees that on many accounts it was better that the two sets
of schools should remain separate, but, fearing further diversion of
the school fund, it was desirable that the number of societies
participating should be as small as possible, and arrangements were
accordingly made for a transfer of the schools and property of the
elder society. After some delay, in consequence of legislative action
being found necessary to give a title to their real estate, on the 2d
of May, 1834, the transfer was effected, all their schools and school
property passing into the hands of the New York Public School Society,
at an appraised valuation of $12,130.22.

The aggregate register of these schools at the time of the transfer
was nearly 1,400, with an average attendance of about one half that
number. They were placed in charge of a committee with powers similar
to the committee on primary schools, but their administration was not
satisfactory, and it was soon found that the schools had greatly
diminished in numbers, efficiency, and usefulness. A committee of
inquiry was appointed, and reported that, in consequence of the great
anti-slavery riots and attacks on Colored people, many families had
removed from