JOURNAL OF THE BOARD. XIII 



Dr. Maclean presented the annual report of the Executive Commit- 

 tee, which was read. 



On motion of Dr. Copp6e it was — 



Resolved, That the report of the Executive Committee be accepted, 

 and that the income for the year 18S5, be appropriated for the service 

 of the Institution upon the basis of the above report; to be expended 

 by the Secretary with full discretion as to the items, subject to the 

 approval of the Executive Committee. 



The Secretary i^resented the following communication he had received 

 since the last meeting of the Board: 



June 2, 1884. 

 Spencer F. Baird, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, D. C. : 



Sir: I intend to make a bequest for the advancement of science — 

 that is, of physical science. For many reasons I would like to make 

 the bequest in favor of the Smithsonian Institution ; but there is one 

 difficulty which must be cleared up before I can decide. If money were 

 left by will to the Smithsonian Institution would it defend the will 

 against the claims of any and all persons who should contest the will 

 and take legal steps to set it .nside? Has it authority by law; has it 

 funds that it would be authorized to use for the purpose of defending a 

 will in its favor? As I have no children the will would be less likely 

 to be contested, but there are others who might attempt to set it aside. 

 For this reason what I wish above all to be assured of is that any legacy 

 that I leave for the purpose named will not be given up without making 

 a fight of it if needful. Please explain this point. 



I wish you to send me a form of words, the very words themselves, 

 in which a bequest should be made so that there could be no pretense 

 of setting it aside for vagueness ; and that will carry out my intentions, 

 which I will explain : 



The chief part I would desire to bequeath to the Institution would 

 be for the " increase and difl'usion of knowledge among men," and beside 

 would wish to have the Institution invest say $300 (is that too insig- 

 nificant for the purpose?) and use the income thereof for conferring a 

 gold medal either annually or biennially (which would be the better?) 

 on the person who had made the most important discovery in physical 

 science during the year, or two years ending, say a year before the date 

 of conferring the medal. For example, the Kegents would have to 

 decide, say in the month of December, 1883, who made the most im- 

 portant discovery in physical science during the year, or two years, 

 ending December 31, 1882. If you have my meaning put it in language 

 that will make it perfectly clear without multiplying words. 



The medal not for any patented invention, like the electric light, for 

 example, but especially and only for such discoveries as Pasteur on in- 

 fection, fermentation, &c., and G. Darwin's on tidal action. Regents 

 to be sole judges as to what is meant by physical science and most im- 

 portant discoveries therein. 



The reason why I would like to have not only suggestions and ex- 

 planations but the full "I will and bequest to" is also because I don't 

 know whether to say the Eegents shall do this or that, or whether to say 

 a majority or quorum of them shall do it in order to make it both strictly 

 legal and also practicable; also, whether or not it is necessary to say 

 how the Regents shall invest the money. I suppose a copy of that part 



