128 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS 



Government would prefer some such administration of the museum as 

 this board secures. 



No present action is proposed by this committee, beyond the recom- 

 mendation that the distinction between the Institution itself and the 

 museum under its charge should be mads as prominent as possible. The 

 very great development which the museum is now undergoing may soon 

 bring the whole subject before the Board in a practical form. If the 

 next Congress should adopt a plan to which the Secretary adverts, (but 

 which seems unlikely,) namely, that of transferring the museum to a 

 new building to be erected for the National Library, the separation which 

 the Secretary recommends would be at once complete. In that event, 

 since the Smithsonian building was erected in great part for containing 

 these collections, we will not doubt that Congress would indemnify the 

 Institution by reimbursing an equitable portion of the original outlay. 

 On the other hand, if the museum is to develop to its full size and im- 

 portance upon the present site, according to the plans laid before the 

 Board, and by it recommended to Congress, this will, as it seems to us, 

 almost necessarily involve the acquisition by the Government of our 

 present editice ; and that will pave the way for an entire separation of 

 administration, or to such other adjustment as the Board of Regents may 

 then think best, or be able to accomplish. 



Respectfully submitted by 



ASA GRAY, 



A. A. SARGENT, 



HIESTER CLYMER, 



Committee. 



On motion of Mr. Stevenson, it was 



Resolved, That the report of the committee be received and printed 

 in the proceedings of the Board of Regents, to be submitted to Con- 

 gress with the report of the Secretary. 



The Secretary presented his annual report of the operations of the 

 institution during 1876, which was read, and, on motion, ordered to be 

 transmitted to Congress. 



The Secretary also presented a list of the articles given to the United 

 States National Museum by foreign governments represented at the 

 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. 



On motion of Mr. Hamlin, it was 



Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a memorial to be 

 submitted to Congress, showing the recent immense contributions to 

 the national collection, and the necessity for provision being speedily 

 made for their reception and exhibition. 



The Chancellor appointed Messrs. Bancroft, Parker, Gray, and the 

 Secretary. 



On motion, the Board adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary. 



