2 EEPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 



be placed upon a still more definite and satisfactorj' basis during the 

 year 1885. 



The additions to the Museum have been unexampled in extent, con- 

 sequent partly upon the acquisitions made in connection with the ex- 

 hibitions just referred to, and partly upon the labors of the Geological 

 Survey, of the Ethnological Bureau, of the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion, and of numerous miscellaneous explorations, both public and pri- 

 vate. 



THE HENKY STATUE. 



The appropriation of $15,000, made some years ago by Congress, for 

 the erection of the Henry statue did not quite cover all the expenses, 

 and the sum of $900 was advanced from the funds of the Institution. 

 Believing, however, that it was the intent of Congress that this statue 

 should be placed in position without cost to the Institution, application 

 was made for the sum named, which was duly allowed. The money has 

 been paid over and placed to the credit of the Institution. 



PKOPESSOR henry's SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS. 



At the meeting of the Board of Eegents of January 17, 1883, a reso- 

 lution was introduced by Dr. Maclean to provide for the republication 

 of Professor Henry's scientific writings. A committee appointed at the 

 last meeting of the Board, January 10, 1884, consisting of Prof. Asa 

 Gray, Hon. William L. Wilson, and your Secretary, has had the subject 

 under consideration, and has decided that the resolution only covered 

 such of Professor Henry's articles as had actually been printed, and espe- 

 cially the portion prior to his entrance upon his duties at Washington. 

 The editing of this publication was intrusted to Mr. Wm. B. Taylor, who 

 has been engaged in collecting the necessary material. The commence- 

 ment of the work has gone to press, and a sample is submitted for the 

 information and criticism of the Eegents. 



JAMES SMITHSON. 



In the Life of Smithson,* published by the Institution a few years ago, 

 the author, Mr. Rhees, says: " It is an interesting subject of speculation 

 to consider the motives which actuated Smithson in bequeathing his 

 fortune to the United States of America, to found an institution in the 

 city of Washington. He is not known to have had a single correspond- 

 ent in America, and in none of his jjapers is found any reference to it 

 or to its distinguished men. It has been alleged that he was more 

 friendlj" to monarchical than to republican institutions, but there ap- 

 pears to be no foundation for this opinion. * * * By selecting the 

 United States as the depository of his trust he paid the highest compli- 



*" Smithson and his Bequest." Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, No. 330, 

 1880, p. 18. And Smithsonian Annual Report for 1879. 



