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Todth Cancnkss 1 SENATE.1. |
2d Session. ; " l J L 211 ]

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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.

ie REPORT.
FROM
e '
THE BOARD OF REGENTS,
SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS,
OF the operations, expenditures, and condition of the Smithsonian Insti-

tution.

Marc# 3, 1847.

Read, and ordered to be printed.
\

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:

In obedience to the act of Congress “to establish the Smithsonian
Institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge ,among men,”
the Board of Regents submit to Congress a report of the “ operations,
expenditures, and condition of the institution.”

On the day prescribed by the act creating the institution, the Regents
assembled in the city of Washington, and proceeded to the execution of
the duties assigned to them. For an account of their organization, and
the measures thereafter adopted by the Board of Regents to give effect to
the provisions of the act of their creation, and to the intentions of the
‘Testator, they submit the following, (being all the material portions of the
journal of their proceedings,) as the best and fullest exposition of their
transactions, and of the present condition of the institution.

. ' G M. DALLAS, Chancellor.

JosepH Henry, Secretary.

Q,
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Journal of proceedings of the regents of ihe Smithsonian Institution.

At a meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution,
held at the city of Washington, on Monday, the 7th day of September,
anno Domini 1846, present—

Hon. George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States ;

Hon. R. B. Taney, Chief Justice ;

Hon. Wm. W. Seaton, Mayor of the city of Washington ; -

Hon. George Evans, Senator; - .

Hon. Isaac S. Pennybacker, Senator ;

Hon. Robert Dale Owen, Representative ;

Hon. Wm. J. Hough, Representative ;

Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, Representative ;

Hon. Rufus Choate, of Mass., Citizen at large ;

Gideon Hawley, LLD., of New York, Citizen at large ; .

Hon. Richard Rush, of Penn., Citizen at large ;

Alexander Dallas Bache, LLD., National Institute ;

Col. Joseph G. Totten, National Institute.

For the purpose of a preliminary organization of said board, Hon. George
M. Dallas was appointed President, and Hon. Wm. J. Hough Secretary.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the President appoint a suitable person doorkeeper,
who shall also act as messenger of said board during the present session.

Whereupon, the President appointed William McPeak doorkeeper and
messenger.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the Rules and Orders of the Senate of the United States
be adopted as the Rules and Orders for the government of this board, until
others shall be adopted in their stead.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the Secretary of this institution, hereafier to be elected,
procure from the Department of State a copy of the joint resolution of
the two houses of Congress by which a portion of the regents of this
institution were appointed; and that he also procure from the Secretary
of the Senate and fiom the Clerk of the House of Representatives, respect-
ively, a certificate of the appointment of the regents from their respective
houses, and file’ the same in the office of the Secretary of said institution.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That all further action of this board in relation to the elec-
tion of officers be postponed until to-morrow.

On motion, the board adjourned to to-morrow.

TUESDAY, SepremsBer 8, 1846.

‘)ne Board of Regents met pursuant to adjournment.

Present, the same regents named in yesterday’s proceedings, except
Mr. Totten, who is absent in consequence of sickness.

On motion, the board then proceeded to the election of a Chancellor,
by ballot; and, upon counting the ballots, it appeared that Hon. George
M. Dallas was unanimously elected.

3 [ 211 J

On motion, the board then proceeded to elect a member thereof Sec-
retary of said Board of Regents and of the Smithsonian Institution ; and,
upon counting the ballots, it appeared that Wilham J. Hough w ras
elected.
- On motion, it was ‘

Resolved, That the Secretary do now prepare six ballots, on two of
which the word “two” shall be written, on two others the word “ four,”
and on the remaining two the word “six ” and that each of the regents ap-
pointed by joint resolution of Congress of the 10th August, 1846,‘draw
one of said ballots; and the. regents who draw the ballots with the word
“two” thereon shall hold their offices of regents for the term of two years ;
the regents who draw thé ballots with the word ‘ four”? thereon shall
hold their offices for the term of four years; and the regents who draw
the ballots with the word “six” thereon shall hold their offices for the
term of six years,in conformity with the act to establish the “ Smith-
sonian Institution for the increase and diffusion of see among
men,” approved August 10,1846.

On motion, it was.

Resolved, That ‘the Chanelle’ draw the ballot for any regent who is

not present.
‘The ballots were prepared and drawh,-as provided in the foregoing
resolutions, and resulted as follows:
Mr. Choate drew for two years ;
Mr. Hawley drew for two years;
Mr. Rush drew for four years;
Mr. Totten drew for four years ;
Mr. Bache drew for six years ;
Mr. Preston drew for six years.

The board then proceeded to the election of an Executive Committee,
by ballot; and, upon counting the baliots, it appeared that Mr. Owen,
Mr. Seaton, and Mr. Totten were elected.

It was then

Resolved, That Oriana: W. Seaton be, and he is hereby, appointed
chairman of said Executive Committee.

it was further

Resolved, That the chairman of the Peeoniere Committee be the dis-
bursing officer, for the payment of the expenses of the regents, and other
contingent and incidental expenses of the sessions of the board, and be
authorized to receive from the proper officer of the ‘Treasury Department
whatever sum may be certified by the Chancellor and Secretary to be
necessary for that purpose.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That ‘the Secretary be authorized to employ a recording clerk,
as an assistant in the discharge of his duties, whose compensation shall
be determined by the Exetutive Committee.

[la compliance with the seventh section of the act of Congress estab-
lishing the Smithsonian Institution, and with the foregoing resolution,
the Secretary appointed Benjamin B. French, at Hf Se Secretary
and Recording Clerk of the institution. ]

On motion, it was
Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to procure a book, in which
the proceedings of the board shall be recorded; and a description of the

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site selected by the board, set out by metes and bounds, shall be made
and signed by the regents present, and shall have also appended the as-
sent of the President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury,
the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Commissioner
of the Patent Office, to the same. And the Secretary shall also record in
the same the will of James Smithson; the original act of Congress ac-
cepting the trust; the law establishing the existing institution ;_ the reso-
lution of Congress appointing, regents of the Smithsonian Institution ;
also, the certificates of the Secretary of the Senate and of the Clerk of the
House of Representatives, respectively, as to the regents appointed from
their respective houses. ,
On motion,

Resolved, Vhat a committee of three be appointed by the Chancellor,
from the members of the board, to digest a plan to carry out the frovis-
ions of the act to establish the Smithsonian Institution, and that they
report the same to the next meeting of the board.

Whereupon, the Chancellor appointed Mr. Owen, Mr. Hilliard, and
Mr. Bache said committee. !

The following preamble and resolution were offered and agreed to:

Whereas the act to establish the Smithsonian Institution prescribes an
appropriation, not exceeding an average of twenty-five thousand dollars
annually, for the gradual formation of a library, composed of valuable
books pertaining to all departments of human knowledge: Therefore,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, to prepare a report
upon the subject of the formation of such a library, indicating its gene-
ral character and the modes of proceeding to accumulate it, and to pre-
sent such report at the next regular meeting of the board.

Whereupon, the Chancellor appointed Mr. Choate, Mr. Hawley, and
Mr. Rush said committee.

Adjourned to 10 o’clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, Serremper 9, 1846.

The board met pursuant to adjournment.

Present, the same regents as yesterday. —

_ Mr. Owen presented to the board, in behalf of David D. Owen, M. D.,
of Indiana, a plan, drawings, and specifications of a building for said in-
_ stitution.

Mr. Owen also'presented a plan and drawings for the same from Mr.
Robert Mills, architect, of Washington.

On motion,

Resolved, That the Chancellor and Secretary of the Smithsonian In-
stitution and the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents be, and
they are hereby, authorized and instructed to take such measures as may
be deemed by them most proper to obtain plans for the erection of .build-
ings, fulfilling all the conditions in reference to them contained in the
law organizing this institution, and that said committee report such plan
as they may approve to this board,-at its next meeting: and further, that
said committee specially report in regard to the best material for said
buildings, and to the best modes of warming, lighting, and ventilating
the same, with estimates of the cost when constructed of different mate-

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rials; and that they further report in regard to such other matters as they
may | consider important in the premises. .

On motion, it was
Resolved, That the thanks of this board be offered to David Dale Ow-
en, M. D. of Indiana, for the plans of buildings for the Smithsonian In-
stitution, presented on his behalf; and that said plans, with the corres-
pondence explanatory of the same, and any other plans which may be
presented to this board, be referred to the committee just named. ¢
On motion, lt was
Resolved, That the committee appointed to report at the next session
are authorized to purchase such works, per account of the board, on ar-
chitecture, bibliography, andthe like, as they may deem necessary to
enable them to perform the duties of their appointment; to visit any
structures and collections in this country; and also to avail themselves
of the suggestions of other skilful persons, and to offer therefor, if neces-
sary, such remuneration as the regents may choose subsequently to make.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That the regular meetings of the Board of Regents shall be
on the second Wednesday of December and the third Wednesday of
February in each year; 3 and on the first Wednesday of June in each al-
ternate year, commencing with the first Wednesday of June in the year
1848,
On motion, it was
Resolved, That Mr. Rush be a committee to ascertain, through the so-
licitors formerly employed by him on behalf of the United States in the
suit to obtain the Smithsonian bequest, or otherwise, whether Madam De
la Batut still survives; and if not, what steps are necessary to be taken
to obtain the fund reverting to the United States at her death; being a
portion of the original property of James Smithson retained by the En-
glish court of chancery, in order to furnish, in the shape of interest, an
annuity to the said Madam De la Batut. - And further, in case the said
Madam De la Batut survives, to adopt measures by which her decease
may be communicated to the board whenever that event may occur. And
that Mr. Rush report to the Executive Committee the legal charge thus
incurred, which the said committee is hereby authorized to pay.
On motion, it was i
Resolved, .That the stibject of the selection of a site be referred to the
committee on the buildings constituted at this meeting, to report at an
adjourned meeting of this board. |
On motion, it was
Resolved, That when this board adjourn, it adjourn to meet at the Vice
President’s room, in the Capitol, on the last Monday of November next,
at 12 o’clock; noon.
On motion, it was
Eesolved, That Mr. Choate and Mr. Pennybacker be added to the
committee appointed yesterday to digest a plan to carry out the provisions
of the act establishing the Smithsonian Institution.
It was .
Resolved, That the Secretary be requested, without unnecessary delay,
to collect, on behalf of the institution, all the documents, Congressional
and others, connected with the history of tae Smithsonian bequest, and

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of its legislation, and cause them to be substantially bound; as a com-
mencement of its library.

William Archer, architect, of the city of Washington, piccenied to the
board a plan and drawings for a building for the institution, together with
specifications and estimates of cost, &c.; which were referred to the
Committee on Buildings.

And then the board adjourned unul the last Monday in November next,

MONDAY, Novemper 30, 1846.

Agreeably to their adjournment on the 9th day of September last, a.
meeting of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution was held at the
room of the Vice President of the United States, in the Capitol.

George M. Dallas, the Chancellor, (and one of the regents,) and the
following regents, appeared, viz: William W. Seaton, Isaac S. Penny-
backer, Sidney Breese, Robert Dale Owen, Wiliam J. Hough, Henry W.
Hilliard, Richard Rush, Gideon Hawley, Alexander Dallas Bache, and
Joseph G. Totten.

Messrs. Hough, Seaton, Totten, Rush, and the Chancel -ellor, each pre-
sented sundry letters, recommendations, &e., relative to applications for
the office of secretary of the institution ; which were severally placed
upon file for future consideration.

The Chancellor, from the committee appointed at the last session of
the Board of Regents “‘to obtain plans for the erection of buildings,” to
consider as to materials, the warming and lighting the buildings, &c.,
made the following report, accompanied by sundry letters from Mr. David
Dale Owen and Professors Silliman and Fowler, in relation to the selec-
tion of material for the erection of the institution building.

The undersigned, a committee appointed by the board at its session on
the 9th of September last, respectfully report :

In order “to obtain plans for the erection of buildings,” to form some
judgment “in regard to the best material for said buildings,” and to as-
certain “ the bes? modes of warming, lighting, aud ventilating the same,”
the committee took the following measures.

. With a view to give, as extensively and rapidly as possible, notice to
the architects of the country of the objects and duties of the committee,
the resolution by which they were constituted was published in the
newspapers of this city on the 22d day of September, 1846.

‘The shortness of time, however, rendering it probable that no satisfac-
tory communications would be received from architects before the present
meeting of the board, the committee entered upon a tour of personal in-
spection, hoping to accuniulate information that might guide the board
in Os choice of a plan for building; and Mr. Owen, Mr. en and
Col. ‘Totten visited our principal cities, examined many if not all ef their
most noted structures, had conferences with several of their architects
eminent for science and success, collected specimens of the best stone
material, and obtained data upon which to ‘“estimate- the cost of the
cor templated building when constructed of different materials.”

At the city of Philadelphia, the Girard College, the Eastern Peniten-
tiary, the House of Refuge, the hall of the Mercantile Library Company,
the Exchange, the Custom- house, (formerly the Bank of the United
States,) and the Atheneum, now being built, were visited.

7 [ 211]

Mr. Strickiand and Mr. Walter were called upon, but were unfortu-
nately absent from the city. Mr. Haviland was also called upon;, but
not being seen, all necessary information was sent to him through his
son. Mr. Notman was seen and repeatedly conversed with.

At the city of Trenton, the State Lunatic Asylum, and the aa but ren-
ovated State-house, were ‘visited.

In examining these edifices, advantage was derived from the constant
presence and intelligent remarks of Mr. Notman.

Af the city of New York, Grace Church, Calvary Church, the Church
of the Puritans, the Tombs, Trinity Church, the University, Dr. Potts’s
Church, the Muhlenburg Church, Mr. Bellows’s Church, the Church of
the Pilgrims, and several other churches, were visited. Much valuable:
information was obtained at consultations with Mr. Renwick, accompa-
nied by his father, Professor Renwick; Mr. Upjohn, Mr. Warren, Mr.
Thompson, Mr. Mountain, Mr. Wells; Mr. Arnot, and Mr. Jewett. Mr.
Hough took occasion to visit also the marble quarry at Hastings, and sev-
eral other quarries in the vicinity of New York.

At the city of Boston, the Masonic ‘Temple, the Howard Street Athe-
neum, the new Custom-house, the Merchants’ Exchange, the new The-
atre, aid other structures, were visited. Mr. Rogers and Mr. Young
were the architects conferred with.

At the city of Cincinnati, interviews were had with Mr. Daniels and
Mr. Walter.

During the visits thus briefly sketched, a series of letters were written
by Mr. Owen to Mr. Seaton, embodying the fruits of each day’s exertion,
and communicating very many details of great interest. These are best
submitted to the board in their original form : the committee therefore
annex them to this report.

Valuable letters have been received from David Dale Owen, Professor
Silliman, and Professor Fowler, in relation specially to. the comparative
metits of marble and sandstone: these also are annexed, for the inspec-
tion of the board.

In order still farther to assist the judgment of the board on the impor-
tant point of the choice of material for the building, the committee have
eaused several sample walls of different stone to,be thrown up for their
examination.

It will be perceived, by the corrrespondence of Mr. Owen, that the ar-
- chitects with whom he conferred are required to transmit their several
plans to the board by the 25th of December next. Until they are re-
ceived, no definite choice can be made; and as “the best material,’ and
& the best modes of lighting and ventilating,” together with “ estimates
of the cost,” could, id the opinion of the committee, only be safely deter-
mined by reference to the plan finally adopted, they have abstained from
tveating those points furtner than they are touched upon in the annexed
correspondence.

“Phe selection of a site” is a subject also referred to this committee ; :
but as it was made a matter of personal examination by the whole board
at their last meeting, the committee respectfully confine themselves, to re-
porting the fol RE resolution :

Resolved, That the regents of the Smithsonian Wastin do select
and adopt as the site for their buildings so much of the Mall, in the city
of Washington, as lies between Seventh street and the river "Potomac, Tf:

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the consent of the persons named in the fourth section of the act to es-
tablish the Smithsonian Institution for the increase and diffusion of know-
ledge among men be obtained thereto; and that upon such consent being
obtained in due form, the Secretary is hereby instructed to cause the said
ground so selected to be set out by proper metes and bounds.

All which is submitted by .

G. M. DALLAS, Chairman.
~ WM. J. HOUGH.

ROBERT DALE OWEN.
JOS. G. TOTTEN.

W. W. SHATON.
WasuHineton, November 30, 1846.

It remains to state that the committee of five appointed to “ obtain
plans for the erection of buildings,” &c., unanimously selected, out of
thirteen that were submitted to them by some of the principal architects —
throughout the country, two by Mr. James Renwick, jr., of New York
city, the architect of Grace Church, the Church of the Puritans, Calvary
Church, and other structures in and near New York; and they recom-
mended to the board for adoption one of these, being a design in the later
Norman, or, as it may with more strict propriety be called, the Lombard
style, as it prevailed in Germany, Normandy, and in southern Europe, in
the twelfth century. The design comprises a centre building, with two

wings, connected with the main building by low ranges and a cloister.
The entire front is 421 feet, and the extreme depth in the centre, inclu-
ding the carriage porch, 153 feet. The height of the principal tower is
145 feet, and that of the main building, to the summit of the battlement,
58 feet. The design includes all the accommodations demanded by the
charter, to wit: a museum, 200 feet by 50; a library, 90 feet by 50; a
gallery of art, in the form of a T, 125 feet long; two lecture rooms, one
of which is capable of containing from 800 to 1,000 persons, and the
other is connected with the chemical laboratory; a committee room’ for
the Board of Regents; a Secretary’s room; a room for the effects of Mr.
Smithson ; a Janitor’s room, &c.

The contracts are not yet made; but the building committee hope to
complete the structure, and to fit up and furnish the same, not only with-
out encroachment on the capital of the institution, which by the. act or-
ganizing the institution is expressly forbidden, but so as to leave a con-
siderable portion of tle amount specially set apart by that act for build-~
ing unexpended.

The material for the exterior of the building has not yet been selected.
The board has authorized the publication, by the building committee, of —
a small volume, which will give to the pubiic the design of the building,
and all important particulars regarding materials, &c.

The resolution accompanying the report was taken up for considera- |
tion ; and pending the question on the adoption thereof,

The board adjourned until to morrow, at 12 o’clock, meridian.

TUESDAY, Dscemper 1, 1846.

Mr. Evans, one of the regents, appeared.
The Chancellor laid-before the board the following letter from Chief
Justice ‘Taney, a regent of the institution:

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Battimore, November 28, 1846.

Dear Sir: I regret that it will not be in my power to attend the
meeting of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution on Monday next.
The circuit court for the district of Maryland has been in session since
the beginning of this month, and.must continue in session all of next
week, in order to dispose of the business before it. Be good enough to
mention to the board the cause of my absence, and believe me to be,
with great respect, your obedient servant,

R. B. TANEY:

GrorcE M. Dattas,

~ Vice President of the Gnited States, Washington.

Mr. Breese presented sundry letters and recommendations relative to
applications for office, agencies for the purchase of books, &c., which
were placed on file for future consideration.

Mr. Rush, from the committee appointed to ascertain whether Madam
‘De la Batut still survives, and if not, what steps are necessary to obtain
the remainder of the Smithsonian fund reverting to the United States
at her death, and if she is still living, what steps are necessary to obtain
the fund at her death, made a report thereon in part, stating that he had
written to Messrs. Clarke, Fynmore, and Fladgate, solicitors, residing in
London, making the proper inquiries, but had received no answer.

Mr. Owen, from the Committee on the Organization of the Institution,
made a report, accompanied by a series of resolutions, which were read.

The board proceeded to the consideration of the resolution pending
yesterday when the board adjourned.

Mr. Seaton proposed that the same be amended, by inserting after the
word “‘ Potomac” the following :

“ Intending to authorize the erection cf a monument to George Wash-
ington, by the Washington Monument Association, on a part of the said
site, which lies between Fourteenth street and the river.”

Mr. Evans moved that the said amendment be amended by substitu-
ting therefor the following: “subject to the power of Congress to grant
any portion of the same west of Fourteenth street to the Washington
Monument Society, for the purpose of erecting a monument thereon ;”
which Mr. Seaton accepted.

The amendment was then agreed to, and the resolution, as amended,
was agreed to.

And so it was

Fesolved, That the regents of the Smithsonian Institution do select
and adopt, as the site for their buildings, so much of the Mall, in the
city of Washington, as lies between Seventh street and the river Potomac,
subject to the power of Congress to grant any portion of the same west
of Fourteenth street to the Washington Monument Society, for the pur-
pose of erecting a monument thereon, if tne consent of the persons
named in the fourth section of the act to establish the Smithsonian In-
stitution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men be ob-
tained thereto ; and that, upon such consent being obtained in due form,
the Secretary 1s hereby instructed to cause the said ground so selected to
be set out by proper metes and bounds.

On motion of Mr. Evans,
Ordered, ‘That the committee on the secnian of a site be instructed

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to wait upon the President of the United States, and lay before him a
certified copy of said resolution ; and that the Secretary communicate a
copy of the same to each of the officers mentioned i in the act of Congress
establishing the institution.

On motion of Mr. Evans,

Ordered, That the Chancellor and each chairman of a committee be a
committee to prepare ‘‘ a report of the operations, expenditures, and con-
dition of the institution,” for submission to Cengress, agreeably, to the
third section of the act establishing the same.

The board adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o’clock, meridian.

WEDNESDAY, December 2, 1846.

Mr. Choate, one of the regents, appeared.

A motion was made by Mr. Breese to reconsider the vote by which the
board yesterday adopted the resolution selecting and adopting a site for
their buildings.

After debate,

The motion of Mr. Breese was postponed until to-morrow. —“

The resolutions reported yesterday by Mr. Owen, from the Committee
on Organization, came up in order for consideration.

At the suggestion of Mr. Choate that he wished to examine the report
accompanying them,

On motion of Mr. Owen, they were further postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. Breese laid on the table the following resolution :

Resolved, That at one o’clock, p. m., to-morrow, the board will proceed

to the election of a secretary of the institution.
The board adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o’clock, meridian.

THURSDAY, Decemper 3, 1846.

Mr. Choate, from the committee appointed at the meeting of the regents

in September in relation to the formation of a library, made a report,
which was read and laid on the table.
Cn motion of Mr. Owen, the resolutions accompanying the report made

by him from the Committee on Organization were taken up for conside-,

ration.

Mr. Owen moved that the board proceed to consider the resolution rela-
tive to the qualifications of secretary, and numbered 13;

Which motion was agreed to.

The said, resolution was then read, as follows:

[No. 13 ] Aesolved, That itis essential, for the advancement of the
proper interests of the trust, that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution be a man possessing weight of character, and a high grade of
talent; and that it is further desirable that he possess eminent scientific
and general acquirements ; that he be a man capable of advancing science
and promoting letters by original research and effort, well qualified to act
as a respected channel of communication between the institution and
scientific and literary individuals and societies in this and foreign coun-
tries; and, in a word,a man worthy to represent before the world of
science and of letters the institution over which this board presides.

w * 7. 2]

And the question being put on agreeing to the same,

It was decided in the affirmative.

The remainder of the resolutions were then postponed for the present.

On motion of Mr. Owen,

The board then, proceeded to elect a secretary by ballot, when it ap-
peared that there were twelve votes cast, of which Professor Joseph
Henry, of Princeton, New Jersey, had a majority, and was declared by
the Chancellor duly ‘elected Secretary of the institution.

The board proceeded to the consideration of the motion made by Mr.
Breese yesterday, that the vote by,which the resolution adopting a site
for the buildings of the institution be reconsidered.

And the question being put, Will the board reconsider the said vote ?

It was decided in the negative.

_So the said resolution stands adopted. (ea

The board adjourned until 10 o’clock, a. m., to-morrow.

FRIDAY, DecemBer 4, 1846.

The board proceeded to the consideration of the resolutions accompa-
nying the report of the Committee on Organization; when

‘The following of the said resolutions (a ambered as they were report.
ed) were read and agreed to, viz:

[No. 3.] Resolved, That the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of
War, and of the Navy of the United States, be respectfully invited to
farnish to consuls and other public officers, in this and foreign countries,
under their respective departments, such suggestions as they may deem
proper in regard to the procurement, as opportunity offers, of additions to
the museum of the institution, especially to its ethnological department ;
that three hundred copies of this report, when printed, be placed at the
disposal of each of the above named Secretaries, as an explanation to these
public functionaries of the views of the institution in regard to amuseum ;
and that five hundred dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated,
out of the accruing interests, to pay transportation or other expenses con-
nected with the transmission from foreign parts to ‘Washington of any.
collections thus made; and to such contributions, when placed in the
museum, the name of the officer obtaining and forwarding the same
shall in all cases be appended.

[No. 4.] esolved, That the Secretary of War be respectfully inated
to furnish to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs such suggestions as he
may deem proper regarding the procurement from the Indian country of
collections for the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, illustrating
the natural history of the country, and more especially the physical his-
tory, manners and customs, of the various tribes of aborigines on the
North American continent ; ‘that one hundred copies of this 1 report, when
printed, be placed at his disposal, as a means-of informing the various
Indian agents of the special character of the collections desired ; and that
the sum ‘of five hundred dollars be, and the same is hereby, annually ap-
propriated, out of the accruing interests of the Smithsonian Institution,
for the procurement and transportation of such Indian collections ; and,
when placed in the museum, there shall be appended to each the name of
the agent through whom the same may be procured.

[No. 5.| Resolved, That the public generally be invited to furnish con--

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12a] * 12

tributions to the museum of the Smithsonian Institution; and that all
such contributions, when considered worthy of a place, shall be labelled
with the name of the donor.

[No. 6.] Resolved, That ten copies of the report accompanying these
resolutions be furnished to each member of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and each member be respectfully requested to transmit
these to newspapers and to individuals, in his district or elsewhere, who
may be likely to take an interest in the proceedings of the institution.

[No. 12.] Resolved, That for the year eighteen hundred and forty-seven
the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated
for laying out the grounds of the institution, and for the purchase, trans-
plantation, and temporary fencing of the trees therein; to be expended
under the direction of the Executive Committee.

[No. 15.] esolved, That of this report, in such form as it may be
ultimately adopted, five thousand copies be printed, under the direction
of thel Secretary; and that he be required to transmit a copy of the same
to each of the principal scientific and literary societies both in this and in
other countries ; and also to such individuals, of scientific or literary re-
putation, as he may judge likely to find interest in the proceedings of
the institution. :

The board proceeded to the eonsideration of the following resolution :

[No. 1.] Resolved, That for the present, out of the interest accruing to
the institution, the sum of twenty thousand dollars be, and the same is
hereby, appropriated for the purchase of books and the gradual fitting up
of a iibrary, and all other incidental expenses relating to the library, except
the salaries of the librarian or librarians; the said appropriation to com-
mence from the first of January, eighteen hundred and forty-eight.

A motion was made by Mr. Hough that the same be amended, by
striking out “ twenty thousand dollars,” and inserting “ twelve thousand
dollars ;”

Which motion was disagreed to.

Mr. Rush moved that “ twenty thousand dollars” be stricken out, and
“fifteen thousand dollars” inserted ;

Which motion was disagreed to.

The question was then put, Will the-board agree to the resolution ?

And was decided in the affirmative. f

The following resolution was then read and agrecd to, viz:

[No. 2.] Resolved, That the portion of the building to be for the pres-
ent set apart for a library be of sufficient capacity to contain not less than
one hundred thousand volumes; and that it is desirable that the plan

x ‘ E : :
should be such as to render an extension practicable if hereafter desired.

The following resolution was then read and agreed to, viz:

[No. 11.] Resolved, That for the present the sum of four thousand
dollars, out of the interest accruing to the institution, be appropriated for
the purchase of philosophical and chemical apparatus, models, &c.; the
said appropriation to commence on the first day of January next.

The following resolutions, Nos. 7, 8,9, 10, and 14, were read ; and, upon
suggestions that it was desirable that the Secretary elect should be con-
sulted before their adoption, they were postponed until the next meeting
of the Board of Regents. ;

[No. 7.] Resolved, That itis expedient to include ultimately in the plan
of the institution popular lectures on useful subjects—as on agriculture .

13 [211]

and its latest improvements ; en the productive arts of life; on the sci-
ences, and the aid they bring to labor; on common school instruction,
including the proper construction of school rooms, the most improved.
apparatus for teaching, and most judicious management, moral and intel-
lectual, of children in common schools ; also, if suitable lecturers be found,
on history, natural and civil, including the physical history of the various
races of men, and the gradual advance of each te its present state of
civilization ; on political economy, in its practical connexion with the
every-day business of life; and eae on any department of useful
knowledge not strictly professional.

[No. 8] Resolved, further, 'That if the funds of the institution per-
mit, it is desirable that such lectures should be delivered not only at
Washington, but gradually and successively at different points in all the
States in the Union, either by permanent professors or temporary lec-
turers, engaged on behalf of the institution.

[No.. 9.] Resolved, That, if the funds of the institution permit, there
may be properly included in the plan the publication, ponodically or
otherwise, of popular tracts on the above subjects.

[No. 10.] Resolved, That, as one of the most effectual, means of in-
creasing knowledge among men, it shall be made a part of the duty of one
or more of the officers who may be engaged by the institution to institute
original researches in the branch of science to which he may be devoted ;
and that it shall be the duty of the Secretary, when such researches
eventuate successfully, to communicate the results to other scientific
societies throughout the world; and to invite, in return, communications
of a similar character from them.

[No. 14.] Resolved, That, in case of the organization of a board of pro-
fessors, the said Secretary shall be ex officio president of the said board of
professors, with the usual rights and powers of the president of a Faculty ;
and, as president of said board, it shall be his privilege, when thereto
authorized by said board, to make, on their behalf, any statement or rep-
resentation to the. Board of Regents, either written or verbal; and if any
debate or discussion arise thereupon in the Board of Regents, he shall
have the right to join therein; but in all cases without a vote in said
Board of Regents.

The board proceeded to the consideration of the resolutions reported ©
yesterday by Mr. Choate, from the committee on the formation of a.
library, which were read and agreed to, as follows:

[No. 1.] Resolved, That it be recommended to the Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution forthwith to employ, subject to the approval of
the Board of Regents, an assistant secretary, well qualified to discharge
the duties of librarian.

No. 2.] Resolved, That a committee be appointed, in conjunction with
the Secretary, to prepare and submit to this board extended lists of books,
in the different departments of learning; proper to be first purchased, ac-
cording to the general principles of this report; and, for this purpose, that
they be authorized to request the aid of the librarian, and of other per-
sons competent to afford it, and to engage to such person the honor of
the board for discretionary remuneration of such aid.

_ Mr. Choate, Mr. Hilliard, and Mr. Rush were appointed ue said com-
mittee.

F211] 14 i

On motion of Mr. Owen,

Resolved, That the salary of the Seana, appointed under the 13th
resolution reported by the Committee on Organization, and adopted by
the board on the 3d instant, be three thousand five hundred dollars per
annum, to commence from the date of his acceptance of the office.

Resolved, ‘Vhat, until a permanent residence be provided for the Secre-
tary in the buildings to be erected, a sum not exceeding five hundred
dollars annually be appropriated to pay the rent of his residence.

The board adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 -o’clock, a. m.

SATURDAY, Decemeer 5, 1846.

Mr. Owen offered the following resolution, which was read, considered,
and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, THat the Assistant Secretary cause one thousand copies of
the journal of the Board of Regents, from the commencement of its organi-
zation to the close of this meeting, to be printed in the same form as the
pamphlet already printed by this board, and that he forward twenty-five
copies thereof to each of the regents.

Mr. Totten offered the following resolution, which was read, considered,
and agreed to unanimously: +

Whereas the present meeting of the board may probably be the last at
which the Seis of Mr. Hough, regent from New York, as Secretary,
will be required,

Resolved, That the thanks of the board are respectfully offered to that
gentleman for the prompt, valuable, and disinterested service he has ren-
dered as Secretary.

On motion of Mr. Bache! | ;

fesolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to arrange with

the Secretary the time and manner of the discharge of the duties enjoined
on him by law, and by the resolutions of the regents.

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chancellor
to procure the introduction, if. they deem it expedient, of a bill amenda-
tory of the act establishing this institution.

Mr. Owen, Mr. Hough, and Mr. Evans were appointed the said com-
mittee.

On motion of Mr. Owen,

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be entitled
to participate in the deliberations of the Board of Regents, but without
vote. | J

On motion of Mr. Evans,

Ordered, That when this board adjourn to-day, it adjourn to meet on
the second Wednesday of this month, at the room of the Vice President
of the United States, in the Capitol, at Ll o ’clock, a. m.

The board then adjourned accordingly.

Journal of proceedings of the Smithsonian Institution at their second
meeting. &

WEDNESDAY, December 9, 1846.

This being the second Wednesday of December, the Board of Regents
met, pursuant to their resolution of the 9th day of September last, fixing
their regular meetings.

|

15 [2m1]

Present, George M. Dallas, Chancellor; William W. Seaton, George
Evans, Robert Dale Owen, William J. Ga ety Richard Rush, A. D. Bache,
Joseph Totten.

The number fixed. by the act He ttne the Smithsonian Institution
asa quorum. being five, a quorum was in attendance.

At 11 o’clock, a. m., the Chancellor took the chair and called the board
to order. —

Mr. Hough, from the committee appointed to wait on the President of
the United States and the other persons named in the fourth section of
the act to establish the Smithsonian Institution, and obtain their written
consent to the selection and appropriation of the public reservation called
the “ Mall,” west of Seventh street west, in the city of Washington, by the
regents, as a site for the necessary-buildings for said institution, reported :

That on the fifth day of December instant he called upon the Presi-
dent of the United States and the other persons named in said fourth sec-
tion of the act establishing said institution, and solicited their assent to
the selection and appropriation by said regents of all that portion of said
reservation lying west of Seventh street west, in said city, as a site for the
necessary buildings for said institution, pursuant to the resolution of the
Board of Regents heretofore passed making such selection and appropria-
tion, but that he was unable to obtain the consent of all of said persons,
alihough a portion of them signified their readiness to give such consent;
and that inasmuch as it seemed necessary that the assent of each and all
of said persons be obtained to the validity of such selection and appropria-
tion, the committee did not deem it of importance to obtain the written
consent of such of said persons as*signified their willingness to the same,
not being able to procure the whole. The committee, therefore, submit
the following resolution for the consideration of the regents, and recom-
mend the passage thereof.

‘The said resolution was then read and adopted, as follows:

Whereas the consent of all the persons named in‘the fourth section of
the act to establish the Smithsonian Institution has not been obtained to
the selection and appropriation of the public reservation called the ‘+ Mall,’
west of Seventh street west,in the city of Washington, by the regents,
as a site for the necessary buildings of said institution: Therefore,

fiesolved, ‘Vhat a committee of three be appointed by the Chancellor to
confer with the President of the United States and the other persons
named in the fourth section of said act, and ask their consent to the selec-
tion by said regents of that portion of said reservation lying between
Seventh and Twelfth streeis west, in said city, as the site for the neces-
sary buildings,of said institution ; aad, if such consent be given,

Jt is further resolved, That said buildings be located thereon, and at
least two hundred and fifty feet south of the centre thereof.

Mr. Hough, Mr. Owen, and Mr. Evans were appointed the said com-
mittee.

* Mr. Seaton presented a communication from Mr. George Catlin, accom -
panied by a printed catalogue of his Indian Gallery, offering his collection
of Indian memorials to the Smithsonian Institution, which was referred
to the committee on the formation of a library.

, On motion of Mr. Owen,

Ordered, ‘hat when this board adjourn to-day, it adjourn to meet on

Monday next, at 10 o’clock, a. m. t

\

~

F2u1] | 16

And then, on motion of Mr. Evans, >
The board adjourned until Monday next, at 10 o’clock, a. m.

MONDAY, December 14, i846.

The Chancellor laid before the board a letter from Professor Henry,
accepting the appointment of Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. Hough, from the committee appointed on the 9th instant to con-
fer with the President of the United States and the other persons named
in the fourth section of the act establishing the institution, made a verbal
report, stating that the committee had had an interview with the Presi-
dent and the persons mentioned, but had come to no final conclusion as
to the matter for which they were appointed.

And then the board adjourned until Monday next, at 10 o’clock, a. m.

MONDAY, DecemBer 21, 1846.

Chief Justice Taney, one of the regents, appeared.

Joseph Henry, the Secretary elect of the Board of Regents and of the
Smithsonian Institution, appeared, and entered upon the duties of his
office.

Mr. Owen, from the committee appointed on the 9th instant to confer
with the President of the United States and the other persons mentioned in
the fourth section of the act of Congress establishing the Smithsonian
Institution, in relation to the location of the buildings of the institution,
reported verbally that the committee had had an interview with those
persons, but had not yet received their final decision upon the subject.

On motion of Mr. Owen,

Resolved, That the report made by Mr. Owen, on the Ist day of De-
cember instant, from the Committee on the Organization of the Institu-
tion, together with the resolutions accompanying the same, which have
not been agreed to by the board, be recommitted to said committee.

The board adjourned until Wednesday next, at 10 o’clock, a. m.

WEDNESDAY, DecemBer 23, 1846.

Mr. Hough, from the committee appointed on the 9th instant to confer
with the President of the United States and the other persons named in
the fourth section of the act establishing the Smithsonian Institution, and
to ask their consent to the selection by said regents of that portion of
the public reservation called the “ Mall,” lying between Seventh and
Twelfth streets, in the city of Washington, as the site for the necessary
buildings of said institution, made a verbal report, accompanied by a
copy of the preamble and resolutions adopted on the 9th instant, endorsed
as follows, viz :

“ The consent of all the persons named in the fourth section of the act
to establish the Smithsonian Institution is not given to the site herein
selected. :

“JAMES K. POLK.”
On motion of Mr. Owen,

Resolved, That the regents of the Suahtliconien Institution do select

and appropriate, as the site for their building, the south half of so much

17 [ 211].

of the a Mall,” ” in the city of Washington, as lies between Ninth and
Twelfth str eets, if the consent of the persons named in the fourth section
of the act of Congress establishing said institution be obtained thereto ;
and the said ground so selected shall be set out by proper metes and
bounds, and a description of the same shall be made, and recorded in the
book of records of the proceedings of the Board of "Regents, and signed
by the regents.»

On motion, Mr. Hough, Mr. Owen, and Mr. Evans were appointed a
committee to communicate the said resolution to the President of the
United States and the other persons named in the fourth section of the
act establishing the Smithsonian Institution. .

And then the board adjourned until Wednesday, the 20th day of Janu-
ary. next, then to meet at the Vice President’s room, in the Capitol, at
100 *elock, a.m.

WEDNESDAY, January 20, 1847.

The Board of Regents met pursuant to their resolution of adjournment,
adopted on the 23d day of December last.

Hon. Lewis Cass, one of the regents, appeared.

The committee appointed relative to the selection of a site for the build-
ing of the Smithsonian Institution made a report thereon, communicating
the consent of the President of the United States, and the other persons
‘named in the act establishing the institution, to the selection and appro-
priation of the site selected by the regents.

The Chancellor presented a letter from the Assistant Secretary and
librarian pro tempore, containing a list of books presented to the Smith-
sonian Institution, in compliance with the tenth section of the act of
Congress establishing the institution.

The following resolutions, reported by the committee appointed on the
Yth day of September last to select a plan for a building for the institu-
tion, were taken up and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Norman plan of a building for the Smithsonian
Institution, furnished by James Renwick, jr., of New York, substantially
as amended agreeably to the suggestions of the committee, is approved
and adopted by this board.

Resolved, ‘That, as testimonials of the high sense entertained by this
board of the scientific merit and skill displayed in their respective plans, .

the following premiums be awarded to the gentlemen named:

To Messrs. Wells and Arnot - - . = $250
Mr. John Notman - - Se ZBD) 1 iM
Mr. John Haviland - - - 250
Mr. Owen J. Warren, -. - - 250

and that one thousand dollars be appropriated for that purpose.

Resolved, That a committee of three members of the board, as provi-
ded for in the fifth section of the act of Congress, be appointed, ‘who shall
be empowered, on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution, to enter into
contracts for the completion of the buildings, and to take security for
their being finished according to the plan “adopted by the board, and
within the time that may be stipulated; and that said committee “have
authority to employ one or more persons to superintend the erection of
the buildings and the fitting up the rooms of the institution.

2

[ 208 ist, |

Mr, Seaton offered the following resolution, which was read and agreed
to:

Resolved, That all the architects who have presented plans for the con-
sideration of the building committee be informed that the Board of Re-
gents will hear any explanations they may desire to make in relation to
their respective designs, to-morrow at 10 o’clock, a. m.

The board adjourned until to-morrow, at 10 0 "lock, a.m.

THURSDAY, January 21, 1847.

Mr. Evans offered the following resolutions, accompanying them with
remarks suitable to the occasion :

Resolved, That the regents of the Smithsonian Institution have learned
with profound sensibility that since their last meeting, the Honorable
Isaac 8S. Pennybacker, late a member of this board, has departed this life.

Resolved, That in testimony of their high respect for the memory of
their late associate, the members of this board will wear the customary
badge of mourning for the period of thirty days.

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the journal, and a ~
copy of them be transmitted to the widow of the deceased.

‘The resolutions being read, were agreed to unanimously.

The board adjourned until to- morrow, at 10 o’clock, a: m.

FRIDAY, January 22, 1847.

The sitting this and the following day was occupied in hearing the
explanations of Messrs. Arnot, Notman, Haviland, Rogers, Mills, Ren-
wick, and Archer, of their respective plans.

| MONDAY, January 25, 1847.

The Committee on Organization, to which was recommitted, on the 21st
December last, the report made by Mr. Owen on the Ist December last,
together with the resolutions accompanying the same, which had not
been agreed to by the board, reported back the same in an amended
form, accompanied by sundry resolutions ; which report and resolutions
were laid upon the table.

The said report is as follows :

“For the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men,” were the
words of Smithson’s will—words used by a man accustomed to the strict
nomenclature of exact science. ‘They inform us thata plan of organi-
zation, to carry into effect the intention of the testator, must embrace two
objects: one, the calling forth of new knowledge by original research ;
and the other, the dissemination of knowledge already i in existence.

Smithson’s words, liberal and comprehensive, exclude no branch of
human knowledge ; nor is there any restrictive clause in the charter un-
der which we act. ‘That charter indicates a few items chiefly relating to
one of the above objects, and leaves the rest of the plan, under the gen-
eral provision of the bequest, to the discretion of the board.

First. It sets forth, as one of the objects of the institution, a library,
Ha shall contain valuable works in all departments of human know-
ledge. ©

19. "2a

Second. It requires that there be provided in the buildings of the insti-
tution a hall, or halls, suitable for a museum capable of containing, on a
liberal scale, collections of natural history, including geology and miner-
alogy, and objects of foreign and curious research ; the large collection
now in the Patent Office being transferred to the institution.

Third. It requires that there be included in said building a chemical
laboratory.

Fourth. The building is to contain, also, “the necessary lecture
rooms.” And,

Fifth. A gallery of art.

These items, with the exception, perhaps, of the laboratory, relate to
the diffusion of knowledge only. They render necessary an annual ap-
propriation to collect and support a library ; another to maintain a muse-
um ; and indicate an intention thata portion of the annual interest should
be applied to the advancement of physical science and the arts, in part,
by lectures. % .

But, after enumerating these items, the framers of the charter added a
clause of plenary powers authorizing the board, as to all funds not re-
quired for the above special purposes, to make of them “ such disposal as
they shall deem best suited for the promotion of the purpose of the
testator.’

In Be cies to the requirements of the charter, which leaves little dis- .
cretion in regard to the extent of accommodations to be provided, your
committee recommend that there be included in the building a museum
of liberal size, fitted up to receive the collections destined for the institu-
tion ; and that library room sufficient for a hundred thousand volumes be
provided. They further recommend that the lecture rooms required by
the act shall not exceed two in number, of which one of a small size
should adjoin the laboratory, and another might be large enough to re-
ceive an audience of a thousand persons.

As important as the cabinets of natural history by the charter required
to be included in the museum, your committee regard its ethnological
portion, including all collections that may supply items. in the physical
history of our species, and illustrate the manners, customs, religions,
and progressive advance, of the various nations of the world; as, for ex- |
ample, collections of skulls, skeletons, portraits, dresses , implements, wea-
pons, idols, antiquities, of the various races of men.

In the accumulation of these collections, the institution has at com-
mand great facilities. The collections of the exploring expedition, which
already belong to its museum, furnish an ample commencement, espe-
cially as regards Polynesia. ‘Through the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, and the various agencies under his control, the North American
race can be reached ; and at small expense the collection of Indian curi-
Osities, already begun at the Patent Office, may be rapidly extended. So,
through our army and navy officers, and our consuls in foreign nations,
Kuropean and South American collections (the latter so recently enriched
by modern discovery) might be gradually brought together.

In this connexion, your committee recommend the passage of resolu-
tions askifg the co-operation of certain public functionaries, and of the
public generally, in furtherance of the above objects.

Your committee are further of cpinion that in the museum, if the
funds of the institution permit, might judiciously be included various series"

[ 211 ] 20

of models illustrating the progress of some of the most useful inventions ;
such, for example, as the steam engine, from its earliest and rudest form
to its present most improved state; but this they propose only so far as
it may not encroach on ground already covered by the numerous models
in the Patent Office.

Specimens of staple materials, of their gradual manufacture, and of the
finished products of manufactures and the arts, may also, your committee
think, be usefully introduced. This would supply opportunity to ex-
amine samples of the best manufactured articles our country affords, and
to judge her gradual progress in arts and manufactures.

As chemistry was the favorite study of Smithson’s life, of which a
considerable portion was spent in his own laboratory, and as it is, without
doubt, one of the most comprehensive and important of the natural
sciences, your committee recommend that this department be fitted up in
as complete a manner as modern science can suggest. And for the pur-
pose of encouraging in the young men of. our country original research
in the same branch of science in which Smithson himself successfully
labored ; and inasmuch as many are now compelled,in order to complete
their studies as practical chemists, to resort to Paris or Germany, your
committee further recommend that there be included in the building a
working laboratory, somewhat, perhaps, after the model of that instituted
by one of the ablest of German chemists, the celebrated Liebig; to be
opened under proper regulations and supervision, without charge to those
who may desire to institute experiments and prosecute researches for
themselves in that science.

The gallery of art, your committee think, should include both paint-
ings and sculpture, as well as engravings and architectural designs; and
it is desirable to have in connexion with it one or more studios, in which
young artists might copy without interruption, being admitted under
such regulations as the board may prescribe. Your committee also think
that as the collection of paintings and sculpture will probably accumulate
slowly, the room destined for a gallery of art might properly and usefully
meanwhile be occupied during the session of Congress as an exhibition
room for the works of artists generally; and the extent and general use-
fulness of such an exhibition might probably be increased, if an arrange-
ment could be effected with the Academy of Design, the Arts Union, the
Artists’ Fund Society, and other associations of similar character, so as
to concentrate at the metropolis, for a certain portion of each winter, the
best results of talent in the fine arts.

The charter provides that the Secretary of the institution may, with
the consent of the board, employ assistants ; and the items above enu-
merated, touching a library, museum, and laboratory, seem to demand at
the proper time the appointment of not less than three such assistants ;
one as librarian, one as curator of the museum, and one as chemist.
After a careful review of the means of the institution, and the annual de-
mands upon it necessitated by the objects specially required in the charter,
your committee are not prepared, with the present endowment only at
command, to recommend a greater extension than these named of perma-
nent offices requiring scientific or literary qualifications; and théy think
that the appointments of curator and chemist may be postponed until the
time, or nearly the time, when the building is likely to be completed.

In these various recommendations your committee have been guided

a a [211]

chiefly by the words and specific recommendations of the charter. They
are of opinion, however, that the task assigned them would be ill per-
formed if they stopped short here, and neglected to avail themselves of
the authority—liberally and wisely, your committee think—conferred upon
the board, after providing for the above special objects to such extent as
they may consider necessary and proper, to dispose of the remaining funds
annually accruing in such manner as “ they shall deem best suited for
the promotion of the purpose of the testator.”

“Increase and diffusion of knowledge,” aoe committee beg leave to
report, was that purpose.

How can knowledge be increased ?

By original research throughout its various fields ; yielding, when suc-
cessfully prosecuted, positive additions to the sum of what had heretofore
been known. ©

For this there is no provision in 1 the items specifically enumerated i in‘
thé bill, and above provided for, except it may be in the chemical depart-
ment, where the chemist or others engaging in experiment and investi-
gation may furnish actual contributions to the science of chemistry.

* But how may original researches generally be encouraged and called
forth ?

First, by premiums, your committee think, annually offered for origi-
nal papers on such subjects as may be selected; it being a strict condi-
tion that each paper accepted and obtaining a preminm shall contain a
specific addition to the sum of human knowleuge, resting upon original
investigations, and not mere unverified hypotheses. 'T’he accepted paper

_ may be published in the successive numbers of Transactions, which may
be entitled “ Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge,” and which your
committee recommend to be issued periodically or occasionally, as mate-
rials present themselves. ‘The names of the competitors for Sanat
should in all cases remain unknown until the award is made.

A liberal price might also be paid for other papers that may be gon-
sidered worthy of a place in the ‘Transactions.

‘Again: as an additional means of promoting increase of knowledge,
special appropriations may occasionally be made to institute definite lines
of research, under the direction of competent persons; after the manner,
perhaps, of the British Association. Such appropriations, however, your
committee think should be made with great care, for important objects
only, and where there is fair promise of speedy result; and it might be
advisable, as an additional guarantee, that in deciding the kind of research
and the amount of money to be appropriated the board avail itself of the
suggestions of a council of scientific men.

In the prosecution of researches undertaken at the instance of the insti-
tution, and requiring the aid of valuable apparatus, the use of that be-
longing to the institution might, under proper regulations, be granted.

This stimulating and cherishing of research in unexplored fields seems
to your committee the more necessary and proper in a country like ours,
where but few have at command that easy leisure common in older
countries, and there permitting the prosecution of researches throughout
years, or a lifetime, without expectation or necessity of pecuniary return. |

Your committee are aware that the researches here recommended, no
matter how intrinsically important—demanded as they are, too, by ‘the

| wording of the bequest which endowed our institution —will be likely, in

[211] ey (2:

their inception and first publication, to interest a comparatively , smal
circle only. The Transactions of the Institution can be expected to obtain
but a limited circulation. Not that the discoveries there to be presented
are of little intrinsic importance, and bear no practical fruit: the reverse
is true. Some may be immediately productive; others will include
investigations unproductive in themselves for the time, yet the neces-
sary preliminaries to the actual discovery of modes and forms that
become, in every-day life, productive and profitable ; for invention is but
the practical application of scientific results. But the severe investiga-
tions in physics which ultimately resulted in the steam engine and the
magnetic telegraph—inventions that are now revolutionizing the world—
attracted in their original form the attention only of the strictly scien-
tific. To reach the people generally, other and further means must be
employed. And this brings your committee to speak of the testator’s sec-
ond object—

The diffusion of knowledge among men.

In connexion with this branch of Mr. Smithson’s, purpose, your tom-
mittee are reminded of the widespread and beneficent influence, reaching
_ to the remotest hamlet and the humblest hearth, exerted not in England
alone, but in other and distant countries, by the British ‘“ Society. for the
Diffusion of Knowledge,” its Scientific Tracts, and its Penny Magazine.
_. This example indicates the most effectual mode of reaching the popu-

lar mind of the world. Influenced by the results of such experience,
your committee recommend the issuing, to such extent as the funds of
the institution permit, of publications, in brief and popular form, on sub-
jects of general interest. They advise, also, that courses of free lectures
be delivered during the session of Congress, i in the lecture rooms of the
institution, by its officers, or by able men, in the different branches of
knowledge, who should be invited for the purpose, and paid out of the
funds of the institution. It should also, your committee think, be made
the duty of the Secretary and his assistants to exhibit in these lecture

rooms, at stated periods, experimental illustrations of new discoveries

in science, and interesting and important inventions in the arts.

And if now, or hereafter, the funds of the institution permit, they think
it desirable that such lectures should not be restricted to Washington,
but should be given, by lecturers selected by the institution, through-
out the United States.

The difficulty in this latter recommendation is the great expense that
must be incurred to procure the delivery of such lectures by men of suit-
able ability, throughout every section of the Union, without preference or
omission.

Though neither the bequest nor the charter restrict the subjects that.
may be “treated in publication and lecture, yet, as the funds of the insti-
tution are limited, and some selection from the vast range of human sub-
aus of inquiry must be made, your committee recommend that, in the

first place, the efforts of the institution be chiefly directed to the diffu-
sion of knowledge in the physical sciences, in the useful arts, and the

theory and practice of public education. They suggest that the lectures
and popular publications of the institution may usefully treat of agricul-
ture and its latest improvements; of the productive arts of life; of the
sciences, and the aid they bring to labor; of common school instruction,
including the proper construction of school-rooms, the most improved ap-

\

=

ie. [211]

paratus for teaching, and the most judicious management, moral and in-
tellectual, of children in common schools. They might also, if suitable
talent can be enlisted, treat of history, natural arid civil, including the
physical history of the various races of men, and the gradual advance of
each to its present state of civilization; of political economy in its practi- -
eal connexion with the every-day business of life, and generally touch

upon any department of useful knowledge not strictly professional.

By such means, we may reasonably expect gradually to stir up a love
of science among those in whose minds, for lack of an awakening word, it
now lies dormant; and, by directing the attention of the people gene-
rally to the rich sources of knowledge that everywhere exist around
them and beneath their feet, by degrees to substitute, for the deleterious
excitements sought in haunts of dissipation, the healthful and humani-

zing interest to be found in scientific research. The inestimable im-

portance of common school education, and the practical means of increas-
ing and improving it, might thus also be pressed home upon those whose
children have often no other means of instruction or improvement.

As an additional means of diffusing knowledge, your committee sug-
gest the publication of a series of reports, to be published annually, or
oftener, containing a concise record of progress in the different branches
of knowledge, compiled from the journals of all languages, and the trans-
actions of scientific and learned societies throughout the world. The
matter of these reports may be furnished by collaborators eminent in their
respective branches; and these should be supplied with all the works
necessary to a proper execution of their task, and paid in proportion to
their respective labors. Copies of these Smithsonian Reports may be
furnished to the principal libraries and scientific societies of the country
free of expense, and sold to individuals at a small price.

Your committee beg leave here to remark, that with the limited annual
ingome of the institution, charged as it is with extensive collections, to
maintain which will prove a considerable yearly drain on its funds, they
do not imagine or propose that all the recommendations here set down
should be carried out, at least simultaneously.” These are put forward
as objects which your committee consider desirable and strictly within
the purpose of the bequest. Such as may seem to the board the most im-
portant may be first attempted. Other portions of the plan may follow in
their turn. And experience will gradually sift out whatever is most ju-
dicious and effective.

Your committee are of opinion that it does not come properly within
the scope of our institution to impart professional education ; and there-
fore they recommend no school of any of the learned professions, nor any
professorships of ancient languages, or others of similar character. It
is not, however, their purpose to exclude lectures of a general character
on subjects connected with any of these professions, but only to shut out
those courses of lectures which treat of them in professional detail. The
studies referred to are already provided for in numerous institutions
throughout the United States; and it has been the endeavor of your

committee not only in this instance, but throughout the entire plan here

submitted, to occupy, so far as may be, ground hitherto untenanted, and
rather to step in where it comes not within the province of othervinstitu-
tions, learned or literary, to extend their efforts, than to compete with
them in fields of labor peculiarly their own.

p2i1] 24

The party politics of the day, on which men differ so widely and so
warmly, should not, your committee think, enter among the subjects
treated of in any lecture or publication put forth under the sanction of the
institution. And they would deeply regret to see party tests and party
wranglings obtrude themselves on the neutral ground of science and
education ; jeoparding, as such intrusion surely would, the tranquillity of
the institution, disturbing the even tenor of its action, perhaps assaulting
its welfare, certainly contracting the sphere of its usefulness.

Your committee think it important that the institution, at the time it is
first opened, should have already in its library a collection of such valu-
able works of reference as, in the prosecution of its plan, may be re-
quired. In order to attain that object, your committee reconrmend that,
for the present, twenty thousand dollars be set aside for the purchase of
books and filling up of the library. ;

An additional reason which has induced your committee to recommend,
out of the accrued interest, so large an appropriation at the outset, is, that
large annual appropriations from the accruing interest, after the institution
is under way, are thereby rendered the less necessary.

In proposing that, in the building about to be erected, there should be
provided library reom sufficient to receive a hundred thousand volumes,
your committee yielded rather to what seemed a fair concession to the
spirit of the eighth section of our charter, than to their own deliberate
conviction that a library of more than half that size could, with the pres-
ent means of our institution, advantageously be purchased.

But, without a vast accumulation of books in this metropolis, your
committee conceive that a librarian of the Smithsonian Institution may,
under a proper system, become a centre of literary and bibliographical
reference for our entire country. Your committee recommend that the
librarian be instructed to procure catalogues, written or printed, of all im-
portant public libraries in the United States; and also, in proportion as
they can be obtained, printed catalogues of the principal libraries 1n *Eu-
rope, and the more important works on bibliography. With these beside
him, he may be corisu#ted by the scholar, the student, the author, the
historian, from every section of the Union, and will be prepared to in-
form them whether any works they may desire to examine are to be
found in the United States; and if so, in what library; or if in Europe
only, in what country of Europe they must be sought. 3

Informed by these catalogues, it will be easy, and your committee think
desirable, for those wbo may be charged with the selection of books
to make the Smithsonian library chiefly a supplemental one; to pur-
chase, for the most part, valuable works which are not to be found else-
where in the Union; thus carrying out the principle to which your com-
mittee has already alluded as influencing all their reecommendations—that
it is expedient, as far as may be, to occupy untesanted ground.

Exceptions to this rule must here, of course, be made; as in the case
of standard works of reference required for the immediate purposes of
the institution, and also of the very numerous works, many of current
science, which, by a proper system of exchanges, we may procure with-
out purchase. In this latter connexion, the transactions and reports of
the Institution will obtain for us valuable returns. ,

In following out this mode of collecting a library for the institution,
whenever a particular class of works of importance is found to be spe- -

25 ( Darhy

cially deficient in the libraries of our country, the vacancy may be filled.
The librarian might also procure, by entering into correspondence with
the librarians of other countries, any special extracts or items of informa-
{ion required by students.

Your committee consider it inexpedient to commence the regular pur-
chase of books until about a year before the time when the building is
prepared to receive them. Meanwhile, lists and catalogues should be
procured.

For the procurement of chemical and philosophical apparatus, models,
&c., your committee recommend, for the present, an appropriation of four
thousand dollars. If the funds permit, four thousand dollars more, your
‘committee think, might profitably be appropriated for this object before
the opening of the institution. ;

Inasmuch as the Chancellor of\the Smithsonian Institution, being a
regent, can receive no salary for his services, it results, almost necessarily,
that the Secretary should become its chief executive officer. The char-
ter seems to have intended that he should occupy a very responsible po-
sition; granting as it does to the Secretary, in conjunction with the
Chancellor, the power to determine the necessity and the amount of ap-
_ propriations made for the purposes of the Institution.

The office of Secretary must, in the opinion of your committee, be re-
garded not as one to be filled by any man capable to act as recording
clerk, or to receive with politeness the visitors of the Institution, or to re-
ply, with mechanical propriety, to its correspondents, but as an. ‘office on
the due administration of which the executive efficiency of our institu-.
tion at home and its reputation abroad mainly-depend; an office, then,
demanding, in its incumbent, weight of character and a high grade of
talent.

To secure such stamp of talent as your committee’ consider essential
in a Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, it may be necessary to at-
tach to the office a considerable salary. The best talent, in any country,
ever commands a high reinuneration; and though money cannot always
command talent, it is, as a general rule, one of the elements necessary to
obtain it. Inadequate character and qualifications are not worth purchas-
‘ing at any rate, no matter TOR low. The money spent to, procure them
is utterly cast away.

Your committee think it would be an advantage if a competent Secre-
tary could be found, combining alse the qualifications of a professor of
the highest standing i in some branch of science. If to these be added
efficiency as an executive officer and a knowledge of the world, we may
hope‘to see filling this distinguished post a man who, when brought into
communication with distinguished men and societies in this and other
countries, shall be capable, as representative of the Smithsonian, Instita-
tion, to reflect honor on the office, not requiring to borrow distinction
from it.

Your committee will not withhold their opinion, that upon the choice
of this single officer, more probably than on any one other act of the
boaad, will depend the future good name, and success and usefulness, of
the Smithsonian Institution.

A similar view, your committee believe, has been taken of this matter
by the principal scientific societies throughout the world. Newton dis-
dained not to answer, at much length, the friendly and able criticisms on

a:

some of his theories, addressed: to him by Oldenburg, first secretary of
the London Royal Society; and the name of Arago, secretary of the
Academy of Sciences, of Paris, is known and honored wherever science
extends her sway.
' All which is respectfully submitted.
ROBERT DALE OWEN,
Chairman.

e *

The board adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o’clock, meridian.
TUESDAY, January 26, 1847.

The board proceeded to the consideration of the series of resolutions
offered from the Committee on Organization, yesterday ; and, after debate,
they were agreed to, the series of resolutions being as follows :

1. Resolved, That it is expedient, and demanded by the will of the tes-
tator, that in our plan of organization the increase of knowledge by
original research should form an essential feature ; that in’ furtherance of
this object, premiums be offered, at such times and to such amounts as
the board may hereafter decide, for original papers, containing positive
additions to the sum of human knowledge; and that these, together with
other suitable papers, be published in transactions of the institution, to
be entitled “ Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge,” and to be issued

‘periodically or occasionally, in quarto form, as materials may be obtained.

2. Resolved, 'Vhat it is within the strict purpose of the trust, and may
materially advance its legitimate objects, occasionally to make specific
appropriations for definite lines of research, the results to be published
as above.

3. Resolved, That, with a view to the diffusion of knowledge, there
may be included in the plan of organization the issuing of publications, in
brief and popular form, on subjects of general interest.

4. fesolved, ‘Vhat, with a similar object, there may also properly be
included in the plan of organization the issuing of periodical reports con-
taining records of the progress of knowledge in its different branches.

( 5. Resolved, That there may also properly be included in the plan
free lectures, to be delivered by competent persons, on useful subjects ;
and that it may advantageously be made a part of the duty of the Seere-
tary and his assistants to give in the lecture rooms of the institution, at
stated periods, illustrations of discoveries in science and Ngee a inven-
tions in the arts.

6. Resolved, That it is the intention of the act of Congress establishing

the institution, and in accordance with the design ‘of Mr. Smithson, as
expressed in his will, that one of the principal modes of executing the
act and ihe trust is the accumulation of collections of specimens and ob-
jects of natural history and of elegant art, and the gradual formation of
_a library of valuable works pertaining to all departments of human
knowledge, to the end that a copious storehouse of materials of science,
literature, and art may be provided, which shall excite and diffuse the
love of learning among men, and,shall assist the original investigations
and efforts of those who may devote themselves to the pursuit of any
branch of knowledge.

f

27 [ 211 ]

7. Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying into effect the two prin-

_ cipal modes of executing the act and trust pointed out in the resolutions

herewith submitted, the permanent appropriations out of the accruing

interest shall, so soon as the buildings are completed, be annually as fol-
lows ; that is to say: | aii

First, for the formation of a library composed of valuable works per-
taining to all departments of useful knowledge, and for the procuring,
arranging, and preserving of the various collections of the institution, as
well of natural history and objects of foreign and curious research and of
elegant art as others, including salaries and all other general expenses
connected with the same, excepting those of the first complete arrange-
mentof ail such collections and objects as. now belong to the United
States in the museum of the inStitution, when completed, together with
one-half of the salary of the Secretary, the sum of fifteen thousand
dollars. | sa

Secondly, for the preparation and publication of transactions, reports,
and all other publications of the institution, including appropriations for
original researches and premiums Jor original papers ; for the delivery of
all lectures and payment of all lecturers, and for all general expenses
connected with said lectures and’ publications, together with one-half of
the salary of the Secretary, the remainder of the annually aceruing inter-
est; it being understood that all general and incidental expenses not
specially connected with either of the above two great divisions of the
plan of the institution shall be equally divided between them.

Mr. Bache offered the following resolutions, which were read, consid-
ered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be in-
structed to present to the Committee on Organization a plan for executing
the resolutions relating to Smithsonian contributions, to annual reports
and other publications, to premiums, and to original researches.

Resolved, That said committee, in conjunction with the Secretary, be
authorized to publish in quarto forma number of the Smithsonian contri-
butions to science, as soon as suitable materials are collected for the same,
of which the Secretary and committee shall judge, provided that the ex-
pense thereof shall not exceed one thousand dollars ; which sum is hereby
appropriated to that object from the income of the institution for the year
1847.

Resolved, That the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution be re-
quested to prepare a biographical notice of Mr. Smithson for the first num-
ber of the,contributions.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be re- |
quested to continue his researches in physical science, aud to present
such facts and principles as may be developed, for publication in the
Smithsonian contributions. $

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be au-
thorized and requested to communicate with men eminent in science
and literature, and to ask their advice, in behalf of the institution, in
regard to the subjects for which premiums shall be offered, and upon
which reports and essays shall be. prepared.

Resolved, That the Committee on Organization present, for the ap-
proval of the board at its next meeting, the details of the plans which
they may recommend, in pursuance of the foregoing, for the increase and
diffusion of knowledge among men.

[2u1] 28

Mr. Hilliard offered the following resolutions, which were read, and,
after debate, were ageed to:

Resolved, That the salary of the pein Secretary, acting as librarian,
shall be two thousand dollars.

Resolved, That the Secretary be requested now to nominate to the
board an assistant, who shall be the librarian, and whose. salary shall
commence whenever the OLS, is ready for the reception of the
library.

Resolved, That for any services rendered from this time, in collecting
books, making catalogues, &c., he shall receive such compensation as the
Executive Committee may deem reasonable.

Whereupon the Secretary remarked, that, understanding Professor
Charles C. Jewett, of Brown University, to be the preference of a ma-
jority of the board, he therefore nominated Charles C. Jewett for Assist-
ant Secretary, acting as librarian, of the Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. EKivans offered the following resolution, which was read and agreed
to:

Resolved, That this board do approve the nomination of Charles C.
Jewett, and consent to his employmentas an Assistant Secretary, to act as"
librarian.

The board ifn adjourned.

THURSDAY, January 28, 1847.

Mr. Owen offered the following resolutions, which were read, consid-
ered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Norman plan of a building for the Smithsonian
Institution, furnished by James Renwick, jr., of New York, substantially
as amended and reduced agreeably to the suggestions of the committee,
is approved by the board.

Resolved, That a building committee of three members of the board,
as provided in the fifth section of the act of Congress, be appointed, who
are hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Smithsonian In-
stitution, to enter into contracts for the completion of the building; and
that said committee have power to employ one or more persons to super-
intend the erection of the building and the fitting up of the rooms of the
institution; and that the work shall be done to the entire satisfaction of
the said superintendent or superintendents; and the said superintendent
or superintendents shall have power, and shall be required, to reject any
of the material proposed to. be employed, and also to object to inferior or
insufficient work, and to direct its change, at his or their discretion.

Resolved, ‘That in the performance of the duty intrusted to them, the
building committee of three hereinbefore referred to shall give the con-
tracts to the lowest bidder of reputation, who shall give unexceptionable
security, to the entire satisfaction of the committee, for the performance of
said contracts ; and such security shall in all cases be taken. No advance
shall in any case be made; and fifteen per cent. of all payments shall be
retained until the faithful performance of the work.

Resolved, That the building committee, after taking counsel with the
Secretary, shall carefully revise the specifications of the plan furnished to
this board by the architect, before entering into any contract; and if,
after such examination, they shall be of opinion that any modifications of
the said plan and specifications are necessary for the safety, durability, or

2 perp)

better adaptation of the structure, they may incorporate these in the said
Specifications; but no addition to the dimensions of the building shall be
made, nor any ornament of any kind be added; and the said modifica-
tions shail have sole reference to the safety, durability, and adaptation of
the building. And the whole amount of the contract for the said build-
ing, including the modifications above provided for, shall, under no cir-
cumstances, exceed the amount of the original estimates of the architect,
to wit: the sum of two hundred and ten thousand dollars, with a per
centage not exceeding ten per cent. on the said sum.

Resolved, ‘hat the building committee be also authorized to contract
for the warming and lighting of the building ; provided that the contract
for the above objects shall not exceed five thousand dollars. ;

Resolved, That the building committee be also authorized to contract
for the fitting up and furnishing of the buildings of the institution; pro-
vided that the contract for the same shall not exceed twenty thousand
doliars.

Resolved, That the building committee be also authorized to contract
for a permanent fence around the grounds belonging to the institution ;
provided the contract for the’ same shall not amount to more than ten
thousand dollars. — “

Resolved, ‘Vhat the Secretary of the institution be authorized to con-
tract for the necessary chemicai and philosophical apparatus, for which:
an appropriation of four thousand dollars has heretofore been made.

Resolved, That the building committee be authorized to contract for
the grading, laying out, and planting of the grounds of the institution ;
and that three thousand dollars, in addition to the one thousand dollars
heretofore appropriated, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for that
purpose.

And it being on the one hand desirable that a portion of the buildings
to be erected by the institution be ready for use at an early day, and it
being on the other essential to the solidity and durability of a struc-
ture of the size required to embrace all the objects specified in the act of
Congress, that its erection be gradual and not too rapidly hastened for-
ward: Therefore,

Resolved, That the building committee be instructed to arrange the
contracts for the buildings of the institution so that the wings of said
building may be completed in two years from the present time, and the
whole to be completed in five years.

Mr. Owen also offered: the following resolution :

Resolved, Vhat the Executive Committee certify to the Chancellor and
Secretary of the board the total amount of debts incurred, contracts en-
tered into, and contracts authorized by the board; and that the Chancel-
lor and Secretary, after examination and approval of the same, certify the
same to the proper officer of the treasury for payment.

The said resolution was read; when

Mr. Evans moved to amend the same by-adding thereto the following,
as an additional resolution : i

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to receive said
payment in treasury notes payable to the order of the Chancellor of the
Smithsonian Institution in one year from date, bearing an interest of six
per cent. per annum ; ‘and that they be further authorized to exchange one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars of said notes as soon as practicable

iy |

(211) i

for an equal amount of six per cent. stock of the United States, payable
in twenty years, which stock shall also be payable to the Chancellor of
the institution ; which said notes and stock shall be deposited for safe
keeping only with the Treasurerof the United States, or such other person
as they may deem proper, to be drawn out only upon checks or war-
rants signed by the Chancellor, the Secretary, and chairman of the Eixe-
cutive Committee.

The said amendment was read; and the question being put, Will the
board agree thereto ?

It was decided in the affirmative.

‘Then the said resolution as amended was agreed to by the board.

Mr. Owen offered the following resolutions, ‘which were read, consider-
ed, and agreed to:

Resolved, That it is the opinion and intention of the board that, in the
appropriation for the objects of the institution of any surplus of accrued
interest which may remain after the completion of the buildings of the
institution, an equal division shall be made between the two great
branches ; that is to say, one-half shall be appropriated to the library and
museum fund, and the other half to the fund for original research, publi-
cations, and lectures ; and that, in regard to all other funds hereafter to
accrue to the institution, the same division be made.

Resolved, That the building committee be instructed, in the arrange-
ment of the buildings, to extend the gallery of art throughout the western
range and western wing ; and to arrange two lecture rooms, and no more,
in the building. Temporary arrangements shall be made to receive in
the west wing of the building the library of the institution until the
library proper be completed.

Mr. Seaton offered the following resolutions, which were read :

Resolved, ‘That the building committee invite separate proposals for the
principal descriptions of work requisite for the erection of the building,
to wit: the masonry, carpentry, plastering, painting and glazing, and
enter into contract with different persons for these several branches of
work, requiring the proper security from each contractor, so that the re-
sponsibility for the erection of the whole building shall not be committed
to one person.

Resolved, That the building committee invite proposals for the con-
struction of the exterior walls of the building of upper Potomac sand-
stone, of marble, of granite, and of blue gneiss, respectively, and adopt
that one of these four named materials which shall be deemed to com-
bine the requisites of cheapness, beauty, and durability.

The question was put, Shall the first of the said resolutions pass? and
decided in the negative.

The question was then put, Shall the second of the said resolutions
pass? and decided in the affirmative.

On motion of Mr. Hough,

The Board of Regents proceeded to the consideration of the second of
the resolutions of the committee on the plan of the building, submitted
- on the 20th instant.

And after debate, the question was put, Sliall the resolution pass? and
decided in the affirmative.

The board proceeded to the consideration of the third resolution sub-
mitted by the said committee; and, after debate, the same was agreed to.

The board adjourned until Saturday, at 10 o’clock.

5] [211]
siya SATURDAY, January 30, 1847.

Mr. Evans offered the following resolution :

Resolved, Vhat it is expedient that an assistant to the Secretary be ap-
pointed, who shall also be the clerk of the building and Executive
committees, who shall take charge of the rooms which may be obtained
for the use of the institution ; who shall assist the Secretary in keeping the
records of the regents, keep accounts and papers of the Secretary and of the
building committee ; who shall be competent to prepare all public advertise-
ments, draw all contracts, keep all accounts of disbursements, and pre-
pare all accounts for settlement at the treasury, and discharge such duties
generally connected with the institution as may be required of him by
the Secretary or the building committee ;:and who shall receive such com-
pensation as shall hereafter be fixed upon by the board.

The resolution being read, the further consideration thereof was post-
poned forthe present. - - |

The board adjourned to Friday next, at 10 o’clock.

“FRIDAY, Fesruary 5, 1847.

Mr. Bache offered, as an amendment of a previous one of Mr. Owen,
the following resolution, which was read and agreed to:

Resolved, ‘That the building committee, in conjunction with the Sec-
retary, be authorized to publish, in such form as they may deem most ap-
propriate, one thousand copies of a brief treatise, to be entitled “ Hints on
Public Architecture,” and to be illustrated with designs of the plan of
the buildings adopted for the Smithsonian Institution, and, at the option
of the committee, with any other designs that are the property of the insti-
tution, provided that the cost of the same shall not exceed one thousand
dollars, which sum is hereby appropriated for that purpose.

Mr. Owen offered the following resolution, which was read, considered,
and agreed to: '

Resolved, That the Secretary add to the report of the organization
committee, when printed, a copy of the will of the testator, of the act ac-
cepting the bequest, and of the act organizing the institution.

On motion of Mr. Evans,

The board proceeded to the consideration of the resolution offered by
him on the 30th of January last, to appoint an assistant to the Secretary ;

When the said resolution was read and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Evans, \

The board proceeded to the appointment of the “ committee of three,”
in accordance with the fifth section of the act organizing the institution.

Messrs. J. G. ‘Totten, Robert Dale Owen, and William W. Seaton, were
appointed the said committee.

On motion of Mr. Hilliard, .

Ordered, That Mr. A. D. Bache be appointed temporarily in the place
of Mr. J. G. Totten on the Executive Cemmittee, who is now in Mexico.

Ordered, ‘That Mr. Hough be appointed temporarily in the place of J.
G. Totten on the building committee. ee ;

On motion of Mr. Evans,

Resolved, That in the absence of any member of any one of the com-
Mittees, the remaining members thereof be authorized to appoint one
temporarily in his stead.

[ 211 J — B2 :

On motion of Mr. Evans,
The Board of Regent$ adjourned sine die.
}

WEDNESDAY, FeEsruary 17, 1847.

‘The Board of Regents met at 10 o’clock, a. m., pursuant to the resolu-
tion of organization.

Present, Mr. Dallas, (Chancelior,) Mr. Seaton, Mr. Hough, Mr. Owen,
Mr. Bache, Mr. Hilliard, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Rush.

The Secretary presented a letter from C. C. Jewett, accepting the ap-
pointment of Assistant Secretary, to act as librarian; which was read,
and laid upon the table.

Mr. Owen offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were
read, considered, and agreed to:

Whereas a bill has been introduced into the Sehate of the United
States, relative to the site of the Smithsonian Institution,

Resolved, That if, in virtue of the provisions of said bill, any change
in the present site of the institution be made, all the contracts heretofore
authorized by the board in regard to building, laying out the grounds,
fencing, &c., shall be and remain in full force, and shall apply to any
new site that may be selected, in the same manner as the same now ap-
ply to the site in the possession of the institution.

Resolved, 'That a copy of the foregoing resolution be forthwith com-
municated by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to the Secre-
tary of the Treasury of the United States.

On motion of Mr: Hough,
Ordered, 'Vhat the board adjourn until Saturday next, at 10 o’clock, a. im.
Thereupon, the board adjourned.

SATURDAY, Frsrvary 20, 1847.

The following resolution was adopted :

Resolved, Vhat the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be paid by
the Executive Committee to Mr. Isaiah Rogers, architect, Boston, in full
remuneration for plans submitted by him to the board.

On motion, the board adjourned to meet on Wednesday next, the 24th
instant, at 10 o’clock, a. m.

WEDNESDAY, Fesruary 24, 1847.

The committee appointed on the 5th December last, to “ procure the
introduction, if they deem it expedient, of a bill amendatory of the act
establishing this institution,” submit, as the best explanation of their
proceedings, the following communication addressed by them to the ed-
itor of the “ Union,” and Pee in that paper of the 15th February:

TO THE EDITORS.

Sir: The undersigned, appointed by the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution a committee to “‘ procure the introduction into
Congress, if they deem it expedient, of a bill amendatory of the act or-
ganizing the institution,” have, in discharging the duty assigned them,

‘a [2]

had brought under their consideration the subject treated of in an edito-
rial published in the Union of February 11. And they beg leave to offer,
in reply, a few remarks and a brief statement of their intentions in the
premises.

The building committee of the Smithsonian Institution have already
exonerated the board from all responsibility connected with the selection
of a site on the Mall in preference to one in the populous portion of the
city ; no choice being in fact left to the board, since no suitable unoccu-
pied square is to be found on the entire plan of the city this side of the
canal; and, with no other powers than those contained in the act organ-
izing the institution, no site already occupied could be purchased by the
institution. Ai

There is a site the most eligible, probably, in the city, for our institu-
tion—that of the present City Hall. It has been represented to the un-
dersigned that it would be most desirable, on the score of public conve-
nience, if it could be procured. ‘They concur in this opinion. In the
immediate vicinity of the principal hotels and boarding houses, compri-
sing an eminence whence the ground gradually falls off in all directions,
in a healthy portion of the city, utility and appearance would be equally
consulted in selecting it. But it is in the occupation of the city, and,
while the present building remains upon it, it can properly receive no
other public edifice. Without the concurrent action of Congress and of the
City Corporation it cannot be obtained as a site for the Smithsonian In-
stitution.

The undersigned, however, having had their attention called to this
subject not only by the article to which they are replying, but by other
similar representations, after maturely considering the subject, have re-
solved to endeavor to obtain such concurrent action. They examined
the plan oi the present City Hall, the same of which a model now stands
in the corridor of that hall, and of which the building now erected is but
a small part; and that, too, unfinished, inconvenient, and unsightly.
They ascertained that this fraction of the plan, bald and gloomy as it is,
adapted to receive expensive porticoes and steps on three of its sides, (no
portions of which, during the quarter of a century it has stood, have
been attempted,) has cost ninety thousand dollars; and they found the
estimate for its completion to be three hundred and ten thousand dollars
more. ‘That it will ever be completed, no one believes. Congress will
not, and the city cannot, furnish the means. ‘To give even to the frac-
tion that now stands a decent or reputable finish, would cost fifty or sixty
thousand dollars; and though its present dilapidated condition—most
discreditable both to the city and the government—may seem loudly to
demand some action, yet it is doubtful whether Congress will ever ex-
pend that amount on so unpromising and expensive an object.

Nor is the present shell, great as has been its cost, profitable any
more than ornamental. It brings little or no revenue to the city. In
view of these circumstances, the undersigned came to the conclusion.
that a sum, say of fifty thousand dollars, would probably be a sufficient
inducement to the city authorities to abandon a building they can never
hope to complete, and which, unfinished as it stands, is an eyesore and a
reproach ; inasmuch as with that sum they could put up, on the Centre
Market space, a plain building sufficient to afford, in its upper story,
the accommodations required as well by the United States circuit court

3

[211] 34

and its officers, as by the vity authorities, while its lower story might
furnish market stalls and stores that would rent for many thousand dol-
lars annually.

The undersigned were also of opinion that, considering the advantages
of the City Hall site to the Smithsonian Institution, so far as regards its
usefulness in connexion with its library, its collections, and its lectures,
the institution might properly and prudently give for the materials of the
City Hall their full value—say fifteen thousand dollars.

If these views be correct, the only remaining difficulty regards the

thirty-five thousand dollars necessary to make up to the city the full
sum of fifty thousand dollars. And this sum the undersigned believe it
to be just and expedient that Congress should appropriate, provided the
corporation will bind itself to furnish in their new building sufficient ac-
commodation for the United States circuit court, its officers and records ;
just, because the general government has already, for the sum of ten
thousand dollars only, (which it paid to the city twenty-five years ago,) had
the use of nearly half the City Hall for its courts throughout all that term of
years, and therefore ought now to furnish further means to procure the
accommodation necessary for that purpose; and expedient, because the
present City Hali, which cannot, for very shame, be left without some
repair or finish much longer, will, from the necessity of the case, while it
stands, remain a permanent ground of claim on the government; and be-
cause any repairs worth making on it at all would exceed the sum here pro-
posed to be appropriated. The cheapest thing that can be done with the
‘City Hall, both as regards the city and the government, is, the undersigned
believe, to get rid of it. And if on its site a building arise, reputable
even, to say nothing of architectural beauty, and commenced with funds
and upon a scale that insures its speedy completion, it should count for
something, if only on the score of appearance and national reputation,
that a gloomy and meaningless and slovenly pile has been replaced by an
object that will strike pleasantly on the eye of the traveller as he ap-
proaches this metropolis.

Governed by considerations such as these, the undersigned, in view of
the fact that whatever is done in this matter must be done at this session
of Congress, have decided, in discharge of the duty assigned them by
the board, to introduce into Congress without delay a bill of which the

following is acopy: ~

AN ACT to authorize the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to purchase, for the use of
said institution, of the corporation of the city of Washington, the City Hall, and for other
purposes.

Be i enacted, §c., That the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution
be, and they are hereby, authorized to purchase of the corporation of the
city of Washington all the right, title, and interest of the said corporation
in and to the City Hall of the said city; subject, however, to the condi-
tions and provisions hereinafter specified: Provided, That the corpora-
tion shall, on or before the tenth day of 'March next, enter into bond,
with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the Attorney General of the
United States, that they will erect on the Market Space, between 7th and
9th streets west, and between Pennsylvania avenue and B street north, a
suitable and commodious building, in which there shall be included such
apartments as may be necesfary for the accommodation of the circuit

= pein]

court of the United States for the county of Washington, in the District
of Columbia, for the use of the grand and petit jurors of the said county,
for the offices of the clerk of the said court and the marshal of said
‘District, and for the preservation and security of the books, papers,.and
records of the said court; and that they will complete the said building,
or so much of the same as may contain the apartments and accommoda-
tions aforesaid, and shall prepare the same for the said courts and offices,
on “or before the tenth day of March, 1848. And, upon such purchase
being completed, the said corporation shall release and forever quit claim
unto the said Smithsonian Institution all the right and title of the said
corporation unto the said City Hall, and unto the possession and occupa-
tion of the lot or square on which the same now stands.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That so soon as the said bond and
release shall be executed by the said corporation, and sufficient evidence —
thereof be laid before the President of the United States, the President
be, and he is hereby, authorized to grant unto the said corporation the
right to occupy and improve, for public purposes, all or any portion. of
that lot of square of ground in the city of Washington, including the
Market Space, lying between Seventh and Ninth streets west, and bound-
ed on the north by the south line of Pennsylvania avenue, and on the
south by the north line of B street north. And then, and in that case, there
shall also be paid to the corporation, towards the erection of the building,
__ as provided in the first section of this act, the sum of thirty-five thousand
dollars, which sum is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treas-
ury not otherwise appropriated ; and the said sum of thirty-five thousand
dollars is hereby declared to be in full of. the apartments and accommo-
dations specified in the first section of this act; and the said apartments
and accommodations shall forever remain subject to the occupation of the
courts and their offices aforesaid. \

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That in case of the execution, by the
said corporation, of the bond and release aforesaid, the regents of the Smith-
sonian Institution be, and they are hereby authorized, by resolution of
_ the Board of Regents, to retrocede to the United States that certain build-
“ing site in the city of Washington, and in the public reservation com-
monly called the Mall, which, according to the provisions of the act or-
ganizing said institution, approved August 10, 1846, has become the
property of the said institution ; and, upon proper evidence being adduced,
to the satisfaction of the President of the United States, of said retroces-
sion, the President shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to convey to
the Smithsonian Institution, by metes and bounds, so much of that pub-
lic reservation in the city of Washington, commonly called the Judiciary
Square, as lies south of the extension of the south line of E street north,
being the same lot or square on which the City Hall now stands; and
the said conveyance by the President shall be received in evidence in all
courts of the extent and boundaries of the lot or square of land which, by
virtue of this act, may become the property of the said Smithsonian Insti-
tution. \ dh

Sec. 4. ‘And be it further enacted, That the Commissioner of Public
Buildings in the city of Washington be, and he ts hereby, authorized and
required to provide temporary accommodations in some suitable building
for the circuit court of the United States for the county of Washington,
and for its offices and records, until the tenth day of March, 1848. And
for the purpose of procuring said accommodations, the sum of one thou-

~

[211 ] ie

sand dollars, or so much of the same as may be required for that object,
be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated.

It will be observed that this bill leaves the matter wholly at the discre-
tion, first, of the corporation, and, secondly, of the Board of Regents.
Unless both concur to accept its provisions, it will be inoperative. The
undersigned do not know that either will accept them; but that they will,
and that they ought to do so, they have given their reasons for believing.

GEO. EVANS,
WM. J. HOUGH, Committee.
ROBT. DALE OWEN,
Wasuineton, February 13, 1847.

Since the publication of the above, and the introduction into the Senate
by one of your committee of the bill referred to, the common council of
Washington, during their session of February 22, passed, by a vote of 17 to
3,a resolution to the effect “that it is the deliberate opinion of the
two boards that the proposed change would not comport with the in-
terests of the city.”

This vote, your committee think, shuts out all prospect of carrying out
the plan contemplated in the proposed bill; and for that reason, though
after reflection has but confirmed the conviction of the propriety and util-
ity of that plan, they have abandoned it, and have ceased to urge through
Congress the passage of the bill in question.

All which is respectfully submitted.

GEO. EVANS.
WM. J. HOUGH.
ROBT. DALE OWEN.

The following resolution was offered by Mr. Seaton, and agreed to by
the board :

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to procure a
suitable seal for the institution, to comprehend the medallion head of
Smithson, surrounded by the words ‘“‘ Smithsonian Institution.”

The board adjourned, to meet on Saturday next, at 10 o’clock, a. m.

SATURDAY, Frsruary 27, 1847.

On motion of Mr. Owen,

Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to cause to be instituted a
series of experiments to determine the economical value of the different
building materials used in the United States. :

Adjourned until Monday, at 10 o’clock.

MONDAY, Marcx 1, 1847.

‘Mr. Preston appeared, and took his seat in the board.

Mr. Owen offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the sum of five hundred dollars, or so much of the
same as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated to-
wards the expenses of the experiments heretofore authorized to be insti-
tuted to determine the economical value of the different building mate-
rials used in the United States.

"

37 ee [211]

Mr. Hough offered the following resolution, of which he gave notice at
the last meeting:

ftesolved, That it being understood Mr. George Catlin is about to re-
turn to this country with his collection of Indian paintings, &c., he be
requested to deposite the same in one of the galleries of the Smithsonian
Institution, as soon as the building shall be ready for its reception, provi-
ded he will do so without charge to the institution ; and that upon such
deposite being made, said institution will properly arrange and prepare
said collection for exhibition. »

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. Hough also proposed the following, which was adopted :
| Resolved, That the Secretary inform Mr. Catlin of the adoption of the
above resolution, and of the probable time the building will be ready for
the reception of the collection. !
The Board of Regents then adjourned sine die.

The Board of Regents have drawn from the treasury, forthe __
current expenses of the institution, the sum of - - $7,584 07
The disbursements from this fund have been as follows : |

Expenses of regents in attending meetmgs of the

, board - - - - - - $2,525 10
For materials and erection of specimen walls, and
superintendence thereof - - - 343 53
For compensation to architects for designs, &c. - 1,025 00
For books purchased - - - - 479 49
For services of assistant secretary - - 200 00
For recording journal and documents, and sundry
incidental expenses - - - - 193 25
For services of messenger -. - - 73 50
Postage - - - - - - 5 03
4,844 90
Leaving a balance in hand of - - 2,739 17

Wasuineton, March 1, 1847.

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