JOURNAL OF PEOCEEDINGS. 125 



regret at leaving Washington, none impresses me more than that which 

 forces me to sever my relations with the Eegents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



With great respect, your friend and servant, 



W. T. SHEEMAN, 



General. 

 Prof. Joseph Henry, 



Smithso7iicm Institution, Washington, D. G. 



On motion of Dr. Parker, it was 



Resolved, That the Secretary of the Institution acknowledge the 

 receipt of the letter from General Sherman, and express to him the 

 high appreciation of the members of the board of his services as a 

 Eegent, and their regret at the termination of his official connection 

 with the Institution. 



The Secretary stated that Congress had passed a joint resolution 

 electing Hon. George Bancroft, who had recently become a permanent 

 resident of Washington, as Eegent to fill the vacancy occasioned by the 

 resignation of General Sherman. 

 On motion of Mr. Wilson, it was 



Resolved, That the vacancy in the Executive Committee, occasioned 

 by the resignation of General Sherman, be filled by the apj)ointmeut of 

 Hon. Georoe Bancroft. 



The Secretary presented his annual report of the operations and con- 

 dition of the Institution, which was read in part. He also presented 

 exhibits of the finances, which were referred to the Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



The Secretary stated that the annual accounts had been made up to 

 the loth ot January, the date at which the semi-annual interest was 

 received from the Treasury Department. 



Dr. Parker, from the Executive Committee, presented a preliminary 

 report on the condition of the Smithson fund, and the receipts and 

 expenditures for the past year, and stated that all the vouchers for pay- 

 ments had been carefully examined by the committee, who would sub- 

 mit a full report at the next meeting. 



The Secretary explained several features of the appropriations and 

 expenditures of the year, the deposits made with the Corcoran Art 

 Gallery, Array Museum, Department of Agriculture, &c. 



A statement of the circumstances attending a theft of $154.50 from 

 the office of the Secretary of the Institution, was made by Prof. Henry, 

 and, on motion of Mr. Sargent, it was 



Resolved, That the amount of the loss ($151,50) be charged in the 

 account to " incidental expenses." 



The reading of the report of the Secretary was then resumed. 



At the suggestion of the Secretary, it was 



Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Professors Gray and 



