ADDRESS.

Seventy-four years ago, a little company of twenty-nine members of this Association assembled in the Old Green Dragon Tavern, famous for its Revolutionary associations, and celebrated what was, in reality, its first triennial festival, as it was its third anniversary.

The records state that they "sat down to a well-provided table, and fared sumptuously;" toasts were read, "which, being so completely adapted to the occasion, were received with eclat, and interspersed with songs." The sumptuousness or economy of this entertainment can best be appreciated when it is understood that the entire expense did not exceed nine shillings, New-England currency, for each person.

The Association had, at that time, been in existence but little more than three years; no new members had been admitted during the year 1798, although 33 had been admitted subsequently to the signing of the original constitution,— not all of whom, however, had complied with its requirements, — who, together with the original 83 members, gave a total of 116 persons entitled to membership from the first formation of the society; still, by withdrawals, the number of active members had been reduced to 90. There is no

record of the financial condition of the Association for that year; but at the previous annual meeting the total funds in the hands of the treasurer amounted to but $312,5%, and the secretary's salary, which had previously been fixed at $50, was reduced to $20.

There was nothing at that time in the brief history of the Association, or in the promise of its future prosperity, which could have been flattering or assuring; originally intended as a temporary means of self-defence against abuses incident to the trades, it had resulted in a consolidated organization of tradesmen, which was viewed with suspicion and distrust by the mercantile and professional classes, who thought they saw in it a combination to advance the cost of all the products of labor. Mechanics, not members of the Association, looked upon it with more or less of jealousy, arising from an ill-defined apprehension of possible adverse influences which it might exert upon their business or interests; while even its members could hardly be said to have dwelt together unity. As our chronicler mildly states the situation, "the society was not at that time a popular institution, and the members themselves were not in a state of the most peaceful harmony."

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Such were some of the discouragements under which our predecessors met, three-fourths of a century ago, and forgot their embarrassments amid toasts and songs, with the good cheer of mine host of the Green Dragon. If they could make the occasion one of feasting and rejoicing, how much more should we, who, after such an interval of time, witness

the results of their small beginnings, and enjoy the fruits of the tree they planted and nourished. The continued existence of the Association, which was then a problem, has long since ceased to be a matter even of doubt or apprehension. Our membership has increased from 90 to 831; the ordinary annual receipts of the treasury have swelled from less than $200 to $20,000, and its assets, which were but $300, now exceed, at a moderate valuation, $300,000 above all indebtedness. Its disbursements for relief, which commenced in 1799, by the payment of $10" to the family of John Keith, a deceased mechanic, not a member," have steadily grown, until the distributions by the relief committee of the past year amounted to $4,982; and although the records are imperfect, there is abundant evidence that the total sum so distributed since the commencement, amounts to more than $60,000.

The operations of this committee are conducted with marked fidelity, and yet so quietly and unostentatiously that they are often overlooked in the midst of more stirring though not more important affairs. The delicacy with which this relief is administered is equalled only by its unstinted liberality; and a most excellent, though inadequate conception of its extent and usefulness is afforded by the annual report of the committee, submitted to the Association, July 10, 1872. By this report, it appears that the whole number receiving

aid, July 1, 1871, was

Added during the year,

47

2

49

Discontinued, as not requiring further assistance,

Died, at the advanced age of 93 years,

The youngest of them is 31 years of age, and the oldest,

93 years.

Number between the ages of 30 and 40 years,

. 2

By this agency the bounty of the Association is bestowed with unsparing hand upon the aged, infirm, and indigent of our members, or the families which they may have left to our care. All have seen better fortune in other days, and many, wealth and prosperity. It is our privilege to render their declining years comfortable and free from want, and to prevent any member of this Association from becoming a burden at the public charge, when broken in health and fortune.

There has been paid to the families of deceased members,