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of some facilities for the investigation, which have induced me to take upon myself the task of ascertaining and making known the truth in relation to the circumstances under which the National Academy was established, the reasons why that measure was resorted to by the associated artists, and the advantages which already have resulted, and will result from it, to the cultivation and improvement of the Fine Arts in America.
From the time of its first establishment, the American Academy of Fine Arts had been productive of little or no advantage to the artists of this city, as a body; and from the very nature of its government, it was next to impossible that any important benefit should have flowed from it to them. There were defects in its very inception, most of which, indeed, were the unavoidable consequences of the existing state of things, and therefore could not then be remedied. The principal difficulty with which the enlightened and public-spirited gentleman by whom that Academy was established, had to strive, was the want of a body of artists, to whom might be committed the principal direction of the Institution; and by whom the pictures necessary for the formation of a respectable and attractive annual exhibition might be furnished. In the absence of such a source, it was supposed to be necessary that pictures should be purchased; and to raise a fund for that purpose, it was found expedient, that the Institution should be formed upon the plan of a joint-stock association, into which  any person might be admitted, who should deem the honor of his membership, and the privilege of visiting the exhibitions, as an equivalent for a certain sum of money. Even this was found insufficient, and a debt was consequently contracted, the interest of which, and if practicable the principal, were of course to be paid from the proceeds of the exhibition. Lectures upon the various branches of science connected with the art of painting, were not included in the plan of the proposed Academy, or if included, were not instituted, and, although it was at first intended that a school should be formed, and facilities afforded to students, it was soon found inconvenient and impracticable to carry this intention effectually into operation.