Rhode Island American And Providence Gazette

The American Temperance Society held their annual meeting in Boston on the 29th ult. A considerable sum has been subscribed in various places for the promotion of the object this Society has in view, and it is due to the subscribers that some statement should be made as to its appropriation. About three hundred dollars was subscribed in this town, to aid in the employment of a permanent agent. Will those acquainted with the proceedings inform us whether any such agent has been appointed? Much good was effected in this town by Mr. Hewit, the temporary agent of the Society, but the friends of Temperance appear to have become indifferent to the subject, and it is important that their attention should be again called to it.

The report of the American Society furnished many encouraging facts, among them the following:
"In Belchertown, in 1824, the expense for ardent spirits consumed, was nine thousand dollars—in 1828, only three thousand dollars. In Plymouth, N. H. the sales had amounted to five thousand dollars a year—last year only five hundred dollars. Three State Societies, and two hundred and twenty two smaller ones have been officially reported to the Committee. The opinion was expressed, that the consumption of spirits has diminished one half in New England New York and New Jersey, and one third in the other parts of the Union."