Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

FROM THE NATIONAL ADVOCATE.

Letter from Wm. Lee, Esq. Consul of the United States at Bordeaux, to Thomas Mitchell of this city.

Dear Sir--I beg leave to inclose you a letter from Mr. Gardie, professor at the deaf and dumb college in this city. He is considered in this country, a phenomenon; for, though deaf and dumb, he is familiar with every branch of literature & science. He wrote the enclosed himself, and brought it to me to correct; but I thought it best to make no alterations in it. I can assure you he is considered far superior to the Abbe Sicard, who has acquired so much celebrity in Europe for instructing the deaf and dumb. Being but twenty eight years of age and of excellent constitution he has a large margin for improvement and would probably live to see his pursuit carried to the highest perfection.

I have the honour, &c.

WM. LEE.

P. Gardie, of Bordeaux, to Samuel L. Mitchell, of New-York.

Bordeaux, April 9, 1816.

Sir--You will, perhaps, be surprised at the liberty I take in addressing you; but being governed by motives of humanity and encouraged by some gentlemen of the United States now in this place I beg your attention for a moment to the situation of the unhappy persons in your country who have the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. Afflicted these infirmities and feeling with great sensibility for all those in the same situation, I have enquired of the American gentlemen who have visited our institution, in Bordeaux, for the instruction of the deaf and dumb, whether there existed any similar establishment in the United States. Being informed that no such school had been established with you, and learning, that, among your deaf and dumb, all those who have not the means of coming to Europe, were deprived of instruction, I feel an ardent desire to devote my labors and existence to procure for them the inestimable blessing of the education of which their organization is susceptible, and which is so indispensable, both for their own happiness, and to render them useful members of society.

I was educated myself in the institution of the deaf and dumb, in this city and having acquired, by long application a perfect knowledge of the most approved method of instructing this unfortunate portion of society : I have, for these eight years, exercised the functions of teacher --I have also acquired a tolerable knowledge of the English language. If the American government or benevolent individuals of your country, are disposed to favor an institution in the United States, I would willingly go there for that purpose I can procure satisfactory testimonials of my moral character, and of my capacity for teaching the deaf and dumb, from respectable military and commercial gentlemen of the United States, who honor me with their friendship and esteem . I shall entirely depend upon the wisdom and judgment of the American government, of the individuals who undertake to assist me, in the present establishment, to fix the mode and plan of its organization.

Our institution here is calculated for sixty poor students, at the expense of the government, which pays for each 600 francs, about 114 dollars, per annum, and 5000, less than 5000 dollars, for professors. and sundry other charges ; to which is to be added the expense of a suitable building, beds, linens, &c. making the aggregate expense about 1000 francs annually, 190 dollars, for each individual. The rich pay the expense of their children-and it, as I have been told, a considerable portion of the deaf and dumb in the United States have the means of paying for these instructions, the expense to the government or a private society, would be but considerable--for myself, I do not claim great emoluments, my desire and object is to serve an afflicted portion of humanity ; my ambition is to secure a comfortable subsistence for my family.

I have the honor to be, with high respect, sir, your humble servant.