Page:1883 Annual Report of the German Society of the City of New York.djvu/19

Rh from among themselves. The annual dues are fixed at a minimum of $5.00; new members, however, may become life members by the payment of their admission fee and $35.00.

1844. . The Secretary reports a further donation from John Jacob Astor of $4302.50, as residue of an intended legacy of $20,000.

(From this date the Minutes are again kept in the German language.)

1845. . A committee is appointed to elaborate a plan for the establishment of a district system for the relief of the poor. The city was divided into twenty-six districts, which were taken charge of by members of the Society as visitors.

First printed Annual Report (500 copies).

. Complaints that the Society receives no support whatever from the city authorities.

1846. The arrival of great numbers of totally helpless emigrants, mostly from the town of Grosszimmern, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, justly excited great indignation. More than 250 of these unfortunates found shelter in the poorhouses of the city, and the New York agents of the ships "Atlas" and "Sardinia," who were forced partly to defray the expenses of their support, after great pecuniary sacrifices, finally released themselves by the payment of $5000. A letter from the Board of Directors to the government of the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt remained unanswered.

1847. . The Board resolves to give the district visitors, like the physicians, seat and vote by two representatives.

The usual annual festival is omitted, on account of the great distress prevalent in Germany.

The Board issues a warning to emigrants, not to arrive in this country during the months of November till May, as communication with the interior is impeded by the freezing of canals and rivers during that time.

5th. The Commission of Emigration is established. The law provides that every emigrant arriving at the port of New York shall pay $1.50, head-money (fifty cents of which