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The following enumeration of the proposed subjects of these reports will give the Academy a full conception of this part of the plan.

"I. PHYSICAL CLASS.

"1. Physics, including Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and Meteorology.

"2. Natural History, including Botany, Zoology, and Geology.

"3. Agriculture.

"4. Application of Science to Arts.

"II. MORAL AND POLITICAL CLASS.

"5. Ethnology, including Particular History, Comparative Philology, Antiquities, &c.

"6. Statistics and Political Economy.

แ 7. Mental and Moral Philosophy.

"8. A Survey of the Political Events of the World; Penal Reform, &c.

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"III. LITERATURE AND THE FINE ARTS.

9. Modern Literature.

"10. The Fine Arts, and their application to the useful arts. "11. Bibliography.

"12. Obituary notices of distinguished individuals."

Another branch of the plan for the diffusion of knowledge contemplates the offer of premiums for the best essays on given subjects.

The publications of the Institution, of whatever form, are proposed to be presented to all the colleges and to the principal libraries and scientific institutions throughout the country, and to be exchanged for the transactions of all scientific and literary societies throughout the world, thus laying the foundation of a valuable library. An adequate number are to be preserved to supply the future demand of new institutions, and the remainder are to be placed on sale at a price so low as to render them generally accessible.

For carrying out the plan thus sketched for increasing and diffusing knowledge, the Regents propose to appropriate one-half of the income of their fund. The remainder is to be expended in the formation and maintenance of a library, a collection of instruments of research in all branches of experimental science, and a museum. This partition of the income of the fund is stated to be "a compromise between the two modes of increasing and diffusing knowledge."

A library is one of the objects contemplated in the act of Congress, establishing the Board for the management of the trust. It is requisite for carrying out the plan above proposed. At the same time it will be observed, that the distribution by exchange of the publications, which that scheme of operations will call into existence, will rapidly provide the Institution, without farther expense, with the class of works, often of a costly character, which are most directly important as the means of advancing and diffusing positive knowledge. It is accordingly in these that the Secretary proposes to lay the foundations of the library; forming, 1st, a complete collection of the Transactions and Proceedings of all the learned societies in the world; and, 2d, a similar collection of all the current periodical publications, and other works necessary in preparing the contemplated periodical reports. In the next place, it is proposed to procure by preference those books which are not found in the other public libraries of the United States, regarding the want of them as of more urgency to be supplied than that of a symmetrical and proportionate collection of books in all the departments of science. Such a library as the plan proposes may be fairly regarded as an important instrument for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

The collection of scientific apparatus and instruments of research is no less needful in the furtherance of the above-mentioned plan, which, as it proposes to aid individuals in the prosecution of important researches, may often do so most effectually by the loan of the instruments required for a particular investigation. They will also be needed, especially at Washington, for carrying out, under the most advantageous circumstances, the various experimental investigations in physics already pursued by the Secretary, with such credit to himself, and such honor to the scientific character of the country.

The Smithsonian Institution is also to be intrusted with the conservation of a national museum; Congress having, by a clause in the act of incorporation, devolved upon it the charge of the immense collections belonging to the public, of which those brought home by Captain Wilkes from the Exploring Expedition form the greater portion, but which are daily increasing from many sources. These collections, when a proper and convenient place shall have been prepared for their reception and preservation, are likely to accumulate with still greater rapidity in time to come.

While there is an obvious propriety and convenience in thus intrusting the care of the public collections to the officers of the Smithsonian Institution, it will not, the committee trust, be forgotten by Congress, that the income of the Smithsonian bequest-moderate at best, and consecrated to an object distinct as it is elevated-ought not to be burdened with the cost of constructing an edifice for the reception and exhibition of the public collections, and their preservation and care. These objects would alone absorb a considerable portion of the fund. If drawn upon to carry them into effect, its efficiency for any other purpose will be seriously diminished, if not altogether destroyed.

The plan also contemplates a museum of the fine arts, as well as a scientific apparatus; it proposes to procure "casts of the most celebrated articles of ancient and modern sculpture," and "models of antiquities." While it is undoubtedly true, that a gallery of this description would find an appropriate place in an establishment devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge in its broadest sense, the committee cannot but hope that the immediate execution of this part of the plan will not be attempted; but that it will be deferred till other objects of more decided utility have been provided for, and until a surplus of unappropriated funds shall have accrued. The Academy will perceive that the most novel and important feature of this plan is that which proposes to insure the publication of memoirs and treatises on important subjects of investigation, and to offer pecuniary encouragement to men of talent and attainment to engage in scientific research. It is believed that no institution in the country effects either of these objects to any great extent. The nearest approach to it is the practice of the Academy, and other philosophical societies, of publishing the memoirs adopted by them. These, however, can rarely be works of great compass. No systematic plan of compensation for the preparation of works of scientific research is known by the committee to have been attempted in this or any other country. It can scarcely be doubted that an important impulse would be given by the Institution, in this way, to the cultivation of scientific pursuits; while the extensive and widely ramified system of distribution and exchange, by which the publications are to be distributed throughout the United States and the world, would secure them a circulation which works of science could scarcely attain in any other way.

It is an obvious characteristic of this mode of applying the funds of the Institution, that its influence would operate most widely throughout the country; that locality would be of comparatively little importance as far as this influence is concerned; and that the Union would become, so to say, in this respect, a great school of mutual instruction.

The committee would remark, in conclusion, that, in a plan of operations of this kind, very much depends upon the activity and intelligence with which it is administered. The character of the Board of Regents is a

sufficient warrant for the prudence and good judgment which will watch over the general interests of the foundation; while the reputation of the Secretary and his assistant, the Librarian, is so well established in their respective departments, as to render any tribute from the committee entirely superfluous.

All which is respectfully submitted by the committee.

December 4th, 1847.

EDWARD EVERETT, (Chairman.)
JARED SPARKS.

BENJAMIN PEIRCE.

HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.

ASA GRAY.

NOTE.-Professor Agassiz was named of the committee, but, owing to his absence at the South, was unable to take part in the preparation of this report.

From the New Jersey Historical Society.

NEWARK, N. J., November 24, 1848. This Society having already considered the programme of the Smithsonian Institution and adopted the report of a special committee, approving of its provisions (which report has been transmitted to the Regents,) I have now only to state, that in no instance, so far as I can learn, has an examination of the document failed to secure for it the same measure of commendation.

W. A. WHITEHEAD,

Corresponding Secretary.

The following is the report referred to:

The Committee to whom was referred the Programme of organization of the Smithsonian Institution report, that having in common with the other members of the Historical Society listened with gratification and conviction to the exposition by Dr. Henry, of the nature and objects of the Smithsonian Institution, and of the means whereby those objects might most surely be attained, they turned their attention to a consideration of the Programme referred to them.

And they unhesitatingly report, as the result of their considerations, their unanimous opinion, that in the general considerations set forth in the Programme, as guides in adopting the proper plan of organization, the designs of the liberal founder of the Institution are justly appreciated, and the means of accomplishing those designs are set forth with great discrimina

tion.

The fund is a trust fund for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men; the Institution created by this fund is not a national establishment, much less an establishment for promoting local improvements of any sort. Its aim is to "increase knowledge" by the discovery of new truths, and to "diffuse" this increased knowledge by suitable publications. Its field is not Washington, nor even the United States, but all mankind.

Hence it would seem obviously to result, that all the funds so far as now can be done under the act of Congress incorporating the Institution, should be sacredly appropriated in such manner as to fulfill the views above indicated.

Entertaining these views the Committee would look upon any large expenditure for the construction or ornament of buildings at Washington as misplaced, as contravening the comprehensive and liberal designs of the founder, and as calculated to the extent to which such expenditures might be carried, to delay the period when the munificence of the endowment might become operative, in stimulating the inventive genius of men, and in aiding the efforts of enterprising individuals in diffusing the results of their discoveries and researches.

The details of the plans to increase and to diffuse knowledge, as set forth in the Programme, seem to your Committee wise and well considered, and as eminently fitted to render the bequests of the liberal Englishman productive of its legitimate and highest results, in which not Americans only, but all men are so deeply interested.

Your Committee therefore propose these resolutions for the adoption of the Society :

Resolved, That the Programme of organization of the Smithsonian Institution as explained by Dr. Henry, seems to this Society to lay down the most efficient and fitting means for rendering available in its highest degree the munificent endowment of the Institution and of carrying out the views of its founder.

Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings duly authenticated by the officers of this Society, be transmitted to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

CHARLES KING.
RICHARD S. FIELD.
WM. B. KINNEY.
L. KIRKPATRICK.
NICHOLAS MURRAY.

The report having been accepted, the resolutions were unanimously adopted.

From Nath'l F. Moore.

COLUMBIA COLLEGE,

NEW YORK, November 24, 1848.

As regards your well considered programme I should hardly have presumed to offer even an approval of it, but for your request. I can give it heartily however, and fully; though (complying again with your request) I venture to suggest that perhaps the limitation under the 7th head of section 2d is too narrow, while on the other hand, the great value of the fine arts and the just appreciation of them by cultivated minds, may create a risk of the institution's going too far in the direction opened under the 10th, 11th, and 12th heads of the same section.

I read some time ago what seemed to be a studied vindication of the step taken by the Institution in publishing the work of Messrs. Squier and Davis, but the volume now issued from the press carries with it its justification, and will, I think, be everywhere regarded as a curious and valuable contribution to knowledge of a kind that was much needed.

From Mark Hopkins.

WILLIAMS COLLEGE,

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS., November 24, 1848.

I have received a copy, forwarded by you, of the programme of the Smithsonian Institution. It meets my hearty approbation, and is probably as perfect as any thing of the kind can be without experience, and I have no suggestion to make.

In such an enterprise much must depend on the officers, and I am gratified to know that thus far the selection has been such as to deserve and receive universal confidence. If any co-operation of mine should be needed, it may be relied on.

From Enoch Pond.

BANGOR THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

BANGOR, ME., November 24, 1848. I received this morning your favor of the 17th with the accompanying papers. I have perused your programme with much interest. It seems to have been drawn up with care, and with a due regard to the will of Mr. Smithson. I think of no additions or improvements. It meets my cordial approbation.

From Charles J. Whipple.

SALEM ATHENEUM,

SALEM, MASS., November 27, 1848. The programme of organization of the Smithsonian Institute meets our approbation; one question is naturally suggested after its perusal, viz: can all the objects proposed be accomplished in the true spirit of the original design? If in the affirmative-then the institution will be a noble affair-just what is wanted at this time to meet the wants of the age. It has our hearty co-operation, and we should be pleased to contribute our mite towards aiding the institution to carry forward successfully all their plans.

From H. J. Ripley.

NEWTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION,

NEWTON, MASS., November 27, 1848.

I have been directed by the faculty of this institution to acknowledge the receipt of your communication with ac

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