PROMOTION OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 27 



of the memorial prepared for submitting to Congress, bearing date of 

 February 6, was as follows : 



The Columbian Institute respectfully represents, — That while they feel truly 

 sensible of the obligations they have already experienced from the Congress, in 

 fostering this institution, intended solely for the promotion of science and useful 

 knowledge, they consider it as a duty to state that they once entertained hopes 

 that they might with propriety have solicited permission to endeavor to derive 

 some pecuniary aid for carrying into effect the plans which had received the 

 sanction of the enlightened bodies whom they have now the honor to address, by 

 the establishment of a lottery ; but when they were contemplating the probable 

 success of such an application, some doubts were entertained of the propriety 

 of the measure, and they declined it, preferring a resort to any mode deemed less 

 exceptionable of forwarding this national object ; and they cannot conceive any 

 mode which promises such freedom from objection as the one they have now the 

 honor of respectfully submitting. 



Their efforts have been hitherto very much confined by the want of those 

 pecuniary resources, which in the infancy of the society are absolutely neces- 

 sary ; for every expense in enclosing and preparing the ground, with the inci- 

 dental expenses of the meetings of the society, from time to time, have been 

 defrayed by the private resources of the resident members ; but when the society 

 contemplate the erection of a convenient building for their sittings and for the 

 reception of their valuable acquisitions, they find themselves totally unprepared 

 to proceed with the vigor which would render the society respectable. They 

 are therefore constrained to request such aid as will be considered perfectly 

 compatible with the never-ceasing regard which has been exhibited by your 

 honorable Houses to the utmost economy ; for this will only bring into activity 

 what may be considered as a latent good. There are two open pieces of 

 ground, one to the south of square 633, the other to the north of square 635, as 

 laid down by dotted lines in King's map of the City. These belong to the 

 public, and if ceded to the Columbian Institute they might be laid off into build- 

 ing lots and be disposed of for the benefit of this public institution, and the 

 proceeds laid out in such improvements of the ground dedicated to the use of the 

 Institute as may be judged proper. The society therefore respectfully beg 

 leave to suggest that they be favored with a cession of the two open places above 

 mentioned, to be laid out in conformity with the general plan of the City ; and 

 they further solicit from your honorable Houses the sole and exclusive right to 

 occupy the remainder of the ground to the west of that now enclosed, which 

 lies between the ceded ground and the street that runs north and south laid 

 down in the map of the City as First Street west, on the same terms as before 

 granted, which would not only preserve the garden free from intrusion (by its 

 being surrounded with streets) but it would add greatly to the value of the 

 whole appropriation by giving more extent to the various designated portions 

 for the forest trees and plants of this very extensive Republic. 



This matter, as also the enlargement of the garden, was again 

 referred to in the minutes for January and February, 1824. On 

 February 7 a memorial for the extension of the area of the garden 

 was read and ordered presented to Congress. It was followed by 

 the passage of an act granting the request, approved May 26. 



On January 28, 1826, the sale of lots was the subject of a lengthy 

 committee report, following failure to obtain assistance from the 



6343°— 17 3 



