40 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



from all quarters. The effect of this was seen in the ready assistance 

 rendered, and in the numerous contributions by both the military and 

 civil residents of the district. The material result of this expedition 

 will perhaps be thrown in the shade by the information obtained by Mr. 

 Gushing in regard to the manners and customs of the Indians. Secur- 

 ing their confidence to a greater degree than any preceding traveller, 

 his presence has been permitted at the performance of their most sacred 

 rites ; and the publication of his report by Major Powell may be looked 

 for as promising to be of intense interest. 



A very important addition made during the year to the ethnological 

 department of the National Museum is the collection of Indian por- 

 traits and scones painted by Mr. George Catlin, and presented by 

 Mrs. Harrison, widow of Thomas Harrison, of Philadelphia. 



There have been two of the so-called Catlin collections. The first is 

 that which was exhibited by Mr. Catlin many years ago, in the United 

 States, and afterwards taken to Europe and shown in the principal 

 capitals. It made Mr. Catlin's reputation as an artist and ethnologist, 

 and furnished the material for his great work on the Xorth American 

 Indians. 



Several years ago, Mr. Harrison, being in Belgium, found Mr. Catlin 

 there very much embarrassed financially, and in danger of having his 

 entire gallery sold for a trifle. He advanced the money to relieve Mr. 

 Catlin's embarrassment, and took the collection as security, with the 

 understanding that at any time withiu a certain period of years it could 

 be redeemed. This was out of Mr. Catlin's power, and the collection 

 was transferred to Philadelphia, where it was stored for many years, 

 and, as stated, has just been presented by Mrs. Harrison. 



After parting with his first gallery, Mr. Catlin traveled extensively 

 in Western North America and through South America, and obtained 

 many additional sketches of much interest. This second collection was 

 brought some years ago by him to Washington in the hope of selling 

 it to the government, and was exhibited in the upper hall of the Smith- 



tlie National Museum the ultimate' place of deposit and safe custody of all these collec- 

 tions. 



"Ir, under the Laws and orders relating to the Centennial Exhibition, transported 

 to Philadelphia various and extensive collections for that exhibition; many, if not 

 most, of which were finally brought to Washington, for deposit in the National 

 Museum. 



"I recommend that the requesl of the director of the National Museum and Secretary 

 of the Smithsonian Institution be granted." 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



M. C. Meigs, 



Quartermastcr-G encral , Brevet Major-General, U. S. A. 

 Prof. Spexcer F. Baird, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 



War Department, 



Washington, J). ('., June 21, ld?9. 



Sir: Replying to your letter of the 12th instant, in which you request that the 

 Quartermaster's Department be authorized to receive from parties living at or near 



