"On the 27th July the first meeting was held with the representatives of Safed.
"The accounts connected with the Free Loan Society, the Lying-in Charity, and the Institution for the Encouragement of Needlewomen and Laundresses,[2] produced by their respective representatives, were minutely examined and found correct; and it was shown that the several committees had faithfully discharged their duties. As there was every reason to be satisfied with the results presented in the working of these institutions, Sir Moses deemed it desirable that the funds should be augmented, to enable the committees to continue their benevolent work.
"The desirability of cultivating land was patiently discussed at this sitting, and the mention of numerous well-authenticated facts raised great hopes of success.
"The views entertained by Sir Moses having been confirmed by the best evidence, a committee of practical agriculturists—men distinguished by their probity, and of acknowledged skill—was, without further delay, appointed, to aid in the selection of land, and to advise as to the fitness of the persons to be employed in its cultivation.
"Assisted by this committee he selected thirty-five families from the Holy City of Safed, provided them with means to commence agricultural pursuits, and also secured for them the protection of the local governors.
"Some orphan lads were also provided for, by being placed under the care of the committee to be trained as agriculturists.
"A district in the vicinity of Safed, called Bokea, having been pointed out as a most desirable spot for agricultural purposes, sufficient means were granted to give employment to fifteen families to be engaged in the cultivation of that fruitful region, the whole of them being placed under the supervision of the agricultural committee at Safed.
"The claims of Tiberias were next considered, and the reports of the working of the several institutions in this Holy City being most satisfactory, the funds of these institutions were also augmented. The claims of all those who petitioned for assistance to enable them to engage in agricultural pursuits were then considered, and means were afforded to thirty families to enable them to realise their wishes.
"It was found necessary here to make some changes in the establishment for weaving, owing to the difficulties experienced by the English instructor, in consequence of his inability to communicate with the young artisans in their own tongue, and, to remedy this defect, Sir Moses made arrangements to engage an intelligent person, qualified in all respects to superintend the establishment.
"He continued, however, to place his entire confidence in the committee for supervising the weaving establishment at Jerusalem, as they had hitherto, in all their proceedings, strictly conformed to the written instructions of the trustees."