companying documents, sent to the late president of this institution. As he is not now connected with the institution, the papers were laid before the existing faculty.

The programme has our entire approbation. We are not prepared to make any suggestions relative to the subject. We trust we shall be always ready to give you our co-operation in cases where it may be required.

From Simeon North.

HAMILTON COLLEGE,

CLINTON, N. Y., November 30, 1848.

The accompanying programme I have examined with care, and am happy to say that I regard it as comprehensive and judicious, and that the plan which it marks out is one eminently fitted to subserve the interest of learning-both in "the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men."

From James P. Wilson.

DELAWARE COLLEGE,

NEWARK, DEL., November 30, 1848.

I received the circular sent from the Smithsonian Institute, and make this communication simply in conformity with the specific request contained in it. I do not for a moment imagine that my crude views can be of any value at all in the matter.

There is no doubt, that from the data in the bequest, various solutions would be suggested by thoughtful mindsand innumerable plans projected-and yet on carefully reading and reflecting on the programme, I cannot even propose a criticism by way of amendment. As a great enlightened agency for diffusing knowledge which implies in this case increasing it, so far as practicable, I cannot see how a scheme can be devised, more comprehensive, and at the same time more effective in carrying out the design of the testator. These I think must be the impressions of any candid mind.

From C. P. Krauth.

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE, GETTYSBURG, PA., November 30, 1848.

I have received your circular and the accompanying programme, &c., and agreeably to your request express in this way my approbation of the same. Not prepared at present to make any suggestions relative to the subject. I will cheerfully co-operate in any way that I can hereafter.

From William Sparrow.

"THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY," FAIRFAX Co., VA., December 1, 1848. In regard to the "Programme of Organization" I shall not presume to offer any suggestions; I only venture to express the hope that under the head of the "moral and political" class of subjects, the particular branches of moral and mental philosophy will receive a due share of cultivation, and I say this, only because of the extreme difficulty which manifestly accompanies your labors in that department above all others, and not because of indifference towards any form of knowledge which concerns mankind.

From M. F. Maury.

NATIONAL OBSERVATORY, WASHINGTON, December 2, 1848. The law establishing the Smithsonian Institution is in my judgment not entirely free from objection. But taking the law as it is, it appears to me that the programme of the Institution is not only admirable, but the best that under the circumstances of the case could have been devised.

The programme appears to me to embrace all subjects, and to include the results of all researches, which tend to the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. I see no room for improvement and therefore have no suggestions to make with regard to it.

It will afford me pleasure at all times, and on all occasions, to co-operate with the Smithsonian Institution in the pursuit of those departments of knowledge appropriate to the Observatory; and I hope therefore you will do me the favor to call freely on the Observatory in all matters whenever its co-operation may subserve the great interests of science and therefore of the world.

From Aug. W. Smith.

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, MIDDLETOWN, CT., December 2, 1848. I had previously received a copy of the "Programme of Organization of the Smithsonian Institution," and examined it with some care. I have again carefully re-perused and considered the details as therein presented with your "explanations and illustrations."

In common with many others, I presume, I had indulged some apprehensions on the subject of the mode in which the intentions and purposes of the testator could and would be carried out by the trustee. These apprehensions were not diminished, on reading the reports of the widely different views and plans which seemed not merely to divide but to distract Congress while the subject was under discussion. They were, however, greatly removed by a sight of the programme.

Those portions of the plan which seem to result directly from the will of the testator, by the action of yourself and Board of Regents, have a character conformable to the designs of the testator, and much more of symmetry, than the novel character which the Institution was to bear, warranted the hope of realizing so early in its history. I re-read the whole with the special purpose of raising objections and finding occasion to make suggestions, but I freely confess I do not see wherein the portion referred to, could be improved, especially as the details are conditioned on their practical and successful character when tested by experience. Neither am I prepared to condemn the appropriation of the means of the Institution by the positive enactments of Congress to the formation of a library-especially the kind of library contemplated. But with regard to cabinets, &c., I do not so clearly see in what it will ultimate. More is, however, to be feared from a disposition to modify and change, under the pretence of improving the plan, by the numerous sages who, as members of Congress, will become its guardians-in-law.

My hopes of its success and utility are strong while under its present direction, if untrammelled by new restrictions and left free to act. On the whole, the country and the friends of science may well congratulate themselves upon the prospects of the Institution, and especially (allow me to say it in all sincerity) upon the choice of the individual selected to direct and superintend its interests, with regard to whom public sentiment is unanimous so far as I have heard an expression of opinion.

From James Curley.

GEORGETOWN COLLEGE,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, December 5, 1848.

We shall give our opinion as soon as possible of the admirable plan you have formed for the organization of the institution.

From Edward Hitchcock.

AMHERST COLLEGE,

AMHERST, MASS., December 7, 1848. I have looked over the programme of the Institution with much interest, and consider it most admirably adopted to accomplish the objects aimed at by Mr. Smithson. So complete is it in its applications that with my limited knowledge I have no additional suggestions to make. I anticipate very interesting results to the cause of science in this country from the carrying out of this plan.

From Hector Humphreys.

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE,

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, December 11, 1848. I have read the programme, and say at once, that I highly approve all its provisions. It fills up providentially a desideratum long felt in the United States, owing to the little encouragement which our government feels authorized under the Constitution to extend to science and art. This has reached but little beyond the poor protection that the patent laws give to new inventions. Your plan will incite many industrious and ingenious men to undertake works of original research, because you offer them a certain reward, in case they should succeed. The subsequent diffusion will need no stimulus.

From the President and Faculty of Georgetown College.

GEORGETOWN COLLEGE,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, December 16, 1848. We have received the first volume of the "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," and now return many thanks to you and to those whose wisdom and experience have formed the "Plan of Organization" which has brought to light the interesting subject contained in the splendid work now presented to the public.

In acknowledging your kindness for this valuable present we cannot avoid expressing our admiration of the Plan of Organization itself, which is contained in your able Report of December, 1847; convinced as we feel that scarcely anything superior to it could be conceived to carry out, wisely, and generously the intentions of Mr. Smithson. This being our candid opinion it would be useless to analyse the report

in order to show the excellence of each part in its furtherance of the grand object of the Smithsonian Institution, as an impartial mind by attentively perusing your report will easily perceive how fully it embraces the benevolent designs of the founder.

From E. Robinson.

UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

NEW YORK, December 18, 1848. Your letter announcing the first volume of the Contributions, was put into my hands on Saturday; though the volume was received some days earlier. I beg leave to return thanks, in behalf of the Directors and Faculty of the Seminary, for the volume in question, which contains a rich harvest of information, that always seemed to me a very appropriate beginning for such an Institution.

In regard to the Programme forwarded, I have already stated to Professor Henry, and perhaps to yourself, my favorable views.

From Henry Brewerton.

U. S. MILITARY ACADEMY,

WEST POINT, N. Y., December 18, 1848.

After carefully looking over the Programme, I find nothing to suggest, by way of improvement, in the details of the plan adopted for carrying out the bequest of Mr. Smith

son.

From Francis Wayland.

BROWN UNIVERSITY,

PROVIDENCE, R. I., December 19, 1848. I have been for some time acquainted with the Programme of the Smithsonian Institution, and have deliber ately reflected upon the plans which it unfolds for carrying into effect the benevolent designs of the testator; and it gives me great pleasure to assure you that I cordially ap prove of them. In the first place, I can conceive of no other method by which Mr. Smithson's object, to increase and diffuse knowledge among men, could be so literally and completely realized. In the next place, the work which it aims to accomplish is of inestimable importance, and it can be accomplished by no other institution now existing in our country. You will thus be enabled to render most