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Mr. Clark demanded six thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars for four acres and one-half of an acre; being the south part of his tract, two hundred and nine feet six inches on the Troy road, and nine hundred and fifty-two feet in depth on the south side, and nine hundred and two feet on the north side; and for an assignment of a lease for twelve years, held by him, for land in the rear, of the same width, running to the plank road, containing about four acres, at the yearly rent of two dollars and twenty-five cents per acre. This price was at the rate of $1500 per acre for the four acres and a half. Mr. Clark assured the committee that he could sell the land at the price specified, at any time, a fact found, upon inquiry, to be correct; and that he could not abate from what he regarded its true value. This price was greater than had been anticipated, and caused the trustees to hesitate. It was the subject of anxious consideration, by them, for some time. Finally, in view of all the circumstances, and under the conviction that the property was really worth the sum demanded, and that no other spot could he found to be compared with it in point of eligibility for all purposes of the institution, the trustees came to the unanimous concluson -sic- that there was no alternative left but to accept Mr. Clark's terms. In this conclusion, the superintendent, the architect, the Members of the Legislature who were consulted, and some of the most respectable citizens, concurred.

The apparent difference of a few thousand dollars between the price of this land and that of the other proposed sites, they were satisfied would be more than compensated by savings in the expense of supplying water, and in the carriage of articles for the use of the asylum. And they were of opinion that an economy which selected a site merely for its cheapness, which was unsuitable and disadvantageous, would be false and deceptive, and would ultimately destroy the institution, or involve immense expenditures to correct the mistake. The trustees felt that in the discharge of a delicate trust, which none of them had coveted, they were bound to assume the responsibility of such a determination as their judgments approved, and their consciences dictated to be the best for the State and the institution. The undersigned regret the necessity of so much particularity on this subject; but it seems called for by a resolution of the Senate, offered by Mr. Crosby, and laid before this board by the Governor. The same explanations would have been given on application to any one of the executive committee.

Of course, the facts and circumstances herein stated in relation to the purchase of the site for the new building, could not be within the knowledge of those trustees of the asylum who have become such since the purchase was effected. But they take the occasion to say, from the information now given, and some of them from their personal knowledge of the different locations that were presented, that they entirely approve the course adopted; that in their judgment it was wise, judicious, and for the best interests of the institution, and in all probability more economical in the result than any other; that the site selected is altogether preferable to that offered by Mr. Pease; that the one so offered by him was not only more than fifty per cent. cheaper than that proposed by Mr. Crosby, but far more eligible, and better adapted to the required purposes, and that they are wholly at a loss to perceive any public reason whatever for purchasing the situations offered by the latter.

In pursuance of the directions of the trustees, the purchase of the above land belonging to Mr. Clark, was effected. The purchase money has been paid to him, and he and his wife have executed and delivered a conveyance of the same, with full covenants, to the State.

Some expenditures have been made in completing the drainings commenced by Mr. Clark, and in grading the grounds.

Mr. Clark also assigned to the State, the lease before mentioned, of the land in the rear of that conveyed by him. Adjoining this land, there are at least forty acres, in the same condition of being incapable of alienation in fee for some time to come. The agent of the proprietor of the life interest in this land, has engaged to lease to the State, for the use of the asylum, any part of it the trustees may desire. Thus all the ground that may be wanted for the recreation or exercise of the pupils, or for pasturage of animals that must be kept, or for any other use, may be had on very reasonable terms. When the absolute title becomes so vested that a sale in fee can be made, there will be no difficulty in purchasing at very moderate prices whatever may be required.

Immediate measures were taken to procure designs and plans for the contemplated building. It will have been seen that a large number of pupils, varying from one hundred to one hundred and fifty, were to be provided for. It was found upon more careful inquiry, that the expense of a building of sufficient size for so many pupils, their necessary instructors, attendants and servants, with the essential accommodations for heating it and supplying it with water, would much exceed the estimate of twenty thousand dollars, submitted to the Legislature in the last annual report. We were not sufficiently informed of the price of suitable land, and the price of labor and materials had greatly risen since the first rude estimates were made.