SPECIAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



PKESENTED TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS DECEMBER 8, 1880. 



To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution: 



Gentlemen : The Board of Kegents 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 brouze statue of Joseph Henry, late Secretary of the 



Smithsonian Institution. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United, I 

 States of America in Congress assemhledj That the liegents 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 1 

 said Institution, and for this purpose, and for the entire exijense of the 

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

 dollars is hereby ai^propriated out of any moneys in the Treasury not i 

 otherwise appropriated. 



Approved June G, 1880. 



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



The Secretary of the Institution immediately informed Mr. Story of >i 

 this action of Congress, and requested his views on the subject and in- 1 

 formation as to his acceptance of the commission. 



This corresi)ondence is as follows : 



"Smithsonian Institution, 



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



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

 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 jiresuming that you will, I forward herewith as 

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



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