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 estab lishment, 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 indi

cated.

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

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."