PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 73 



an opportunity of restoring the original plan of organization, in which 

 I fully concurred when it was adopted. 



I therefore resign the office of Chancellor of the Institution, and at 

 the same time return my thanks for the honor which the Eegents 

 bestowed upon me in electing me to that office. 



But my resignation will not lessen the interest I feel in the Insti- 

 tution. On the contrary, every year's experience has more and more 

 convinced me of its usefulness and efficiency in promoting the objects 

 of its founder, and I shall always be ready to offer my humble aid if 

 I can be useful in advancing its prosperity and success. 



I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your obedient 

 servant, 



E. B. TANEY. 



To the Eegents of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Mr. Breckinridge, Vice President of the United States, moved that 

 the present Chancellor, Chief Justice Taney, be re-elected to that 

 office, expressing his unwillingness to assume the position which had 

 been so long and so ably filled by its present occupant. 



The motion was adopted unanimously, whereupon Judge Taney 

 remarked that he was anxious to serve the Institution to the best of 

 his ability, and he could not decline this expression of the confidence 

 of the Board if they insisted on his retaining the office of Chancellor. 



The Secretary announced that, by joint resolution of the Senate and 

 House of Eepresentatives, Hon. Eichard Eush, of Pennsylvania, and 

 Gen. Joseph Gr. Totten, of the city of Washington, had been re-elected 

 Eegents for six years ; also that the President of the Senate had re- 

 appointed Hon. James A. Pearce and Hon. James M. Mason, Eegents 

 for the same period of time. 



The Secretary announced to the Board that, since its last meeting, 

 three distinguished men of science, correspondents of the Institution, 

 had deceased, namely : Prof. J. W. Bailey, Dr. E. K. Kane, and 

 Mr. W. C. Eedfield. 



On this announcement Prof. Bache offered a series of appropriate 

 remarks, referring to their eminent services in the promotion of 

 science. 



Gen. Totten offered the following resolutions, which were adopted : 



Resolved^ That the Eegents of the Smithsonian Institution have 

 heard with regret the announcement of the death of Prof, Jacob W. 

 Bailey, whose communications to the Smithsonian Contributions have 



