PEOMOTION OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 13 



museum for the reception of natural curiosities, and a well selected library, 

 will, in a short period, be enabled to render essential services in many of the 

 branches of knowledge embraced by our constitution. In the meantime, I trust, 

 that the- members who have been selected to execute the important duties 

 required of the general committee, will, by their talents, industry, and perse- 

 verance, render the establishment worthy of the District of Columbia ; and, by 

 their example, will stimulate others to devote their time and talents to the pro- 

 motion of the laudable undertaking ; thus, by an accession of talent, " growing 

 with its growth, and strengthening with its strength." we may look forward, 

 with pleasure, to the period, when the Columbian Institute, for the promotion 

 of arts and sciences, will assume an elevated rank amongst the scientific asso- 

 ciations of our country. * * * 



In our Institute, as in a pure and fertile climate, talents of different kinds 

 may spring up and unfold themselves, which, if properly applied, may cause 

 the liberal arts and sciences to flourish ; and how pleasing is the reflection, that 

 many, probably, whom I have now the honor to address, may be instrumental 

 in giving a proper direction to the labors of the agriculturist, the artist, and 

 the manufacturer; pardon me, if I presume to extend the importance of this 

 Institute still further, even, if properly conducted, to the advancement of the 

 literary character of our country. * * * 



The extensive limits of our country afford numerous opportunities for dis- 

 coveries and improvements, in every branch of natural science. How many 

 plants are there, natives of our soil, possessed of peculiar virtues, which would 

 supersede the necessity of importing those that are medicinal, or necessary for 

 the operation of the dyer ! How many minerals which might serve, not only to 

 enrich the cabinets of the curious, but minister to the wants of our growing 

 population ! What an infinite number of substances may present themselves as 

 objects of new trade and commerce, or for the supply of the necessary materials 

 for the various domestic arts and manufactures ; and what means are so likely 

 to bring them to our knowledge, as research and careful investigations? There- 

 fore, considering the extent of territory embraced by the United States, whose 

 surface and internal structure have scarcely been examined, it must be regarded 

 as a national reproach, that we are still unacquainted with the important sources 

 of wealth, which are yet to be opened by chemical and mineralogical enterprise. 

 Every individual of our republic should be animated with a patriotic zeal in 

 this important undertaking. 



We have been peculiarly fortunate, my friends, that our association has com- 

 menced at the seat of Government ; where, through the representatives of the 

 people, coming from the various sections of our country, of different climates 

 and soils, whose minds are illuminated by the rays of science ; and through the 

 scientific citizens and foreigners who visit this metropolis, we may reasonably 

 expect, not only valuable communications, but various seeds and plants ; hence, 

 the necessity for a botanical garden, where they may be cultivated, and, as 

 they multiply, distributed to other parts of the Union. Arrangements should 

 likewise be made to establish a museum, in which the natural curiosities may be 

 deposited, and the minerals, which may have been presented, scientifically ar- 

 ranged, noticing particularly their locality ; and the public should receive the 

 earliest information on such as may appear of utility in the various arts and 

 manufactures. The numerous grasses, grains, medicinal plants, trees, &c, 

 which are not indigenous to our country, should be carefully collected, culti- 

 vated, and distributed to the agriculturists. 



Here followed extended remarks on the introduction into, or the 

 cultivation in, this country of the coffee plant, sugar, cotton, various 



