[173] By some at this time there were not believed to be a sufficient number of the deaf to justify a school, and it was due to this mainly that the investigation was made. [174] Funds to the amount of $2,278 were subscribed before the departure of Gallaudet. _Association Review_, iii., 1901, p. 329. [175] It is said that Stephen Girard declined to contribute because Philadelphia was not chosen as the site of the school. Tribute to Gallaudet, p. 114. [176] _Ibid._, p. 155. [177] This grant seems to have been used later for the benefit of Connecticut pupils. [178] This, however, was not the first appropriation to a benevolent institution. The colony of Pennsylvania in 1751 had voted an appropriation for certain of its insane in a hospital to be opened the following year, while New York in 1806 granted $15,000 for the care of its insane in a hospital. Virginia established its insane asylum at Williamsburg in 1773. [179] See Laws of Maine, 1829, p. 24. [180] _Annals_, iv., 1851, p. 63; _National Magazine_, ix., 1856, p. 489. [181] Tribute to Gallaudet, p. 136. This was also expressed in the _Missionary Herald_, Sept., 1826, quoted in _American Journal of Education_, i., 1826, p. 631. At the same time caution was advised as to the result, as the benefit was to depend upon the sale of the land. [182] Report of American School, 1825, p. 5; 1836, p. 22. [183] In 1821 steps were taken to establish a school in South Carolina. A census of the deaf children in the state was made, 29 being found. The school here, however, was not started till some years later. See Report of South Carolina School, 1904, p. 7. In neither the case of this state nor that of Georgia was the number of pupils annually sent to Hartford large, ranging from 2 to 8 in each. See Report of American School, 1835, p. 9; Georgia School, 1874, p. 11; _American Annals of Education_, v., 1835, p. 93. A joint school for the south-eastern states was also contemplated at this time. [184] There were several pupils here supported by the United States government, who were the children of deceased veterans, the first coming from Maryland in 1819. History of Maryland School, 1893, p. 11.