SPECIAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



PKESENTED TO THE BOARD OF EEGENTS DECEMBER 8, 1880. 



To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution : 



Gentlemen : The Board of Eegents lias been called to this special 

 meeting at the request of the Executive Committee to consider two sub- 

 jects of importance, requiring action before its regular annual session. 

 At the last session of Congress the following act was passed : 



AN ACT for the erection of a bronze statue of Joseph Henry, late Secretary of the 



Smithsonian Institution. 



Be it enacted hy the Senate and Souse of Representatives of the United 

 States of America in Congress assembled, That the Eegents of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution be, and are hereby, authorized to contract with W. 

 W. Story, sculptor, for a statue in bronze of Joseph Henry, late Secre- 

 tary of the Smithsonian Institution, to be erected upon the grounds of 

 said Institution, and for this i)urpose, and for the entire expense of the 

 foundation and pedestal of the monument, the sum of fifteen thousand 

 dollars is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the Treasury not 

 otherwise appropriated. 



Approved June 6, 1880. 



(Forty-sixth Congress, second session, chapter 116.) 



The Secretary of the Institution immediately informed Mr. Story of 

 this action of Congress, and requested his views on the subject and in- 

 formation as to his acceptance of the commission. 



This correspondence is as follows : 



" S:^iTHS0NiAN Institution, 



" Washington, J). C, June 10, 1880. 



" Sir: a bill providing for the erection of a statue of Prof. Joseph 

 Henry, late Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, introduced by 

 Senator Morrill, has become a law. A copy of this is herewith inclosed. 



"As you will see, its essential points are the provision for a bronze 

 statue of Professor Henry, to be placed in the Smithsonian grounds, 

 and that the total cost, including expenses for the pedestal, &c., shall 

 not exceed $15,000. 



"I beg to inquire whether you will accept the commission under 

 these conditions ; and presuming that you will, I forward herewith as 

 full a series of photographs of the illustrious deceased as can be sup- 



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