XVI JOURNAL Ot^ PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



devoted to scientific ]nuposes. He had taken counsel witli many emi- 

 nent scientific men in iMirope as well as at home, as to the best dispo- 

 sition to make of this fund, and given the matter much thought, A 

 portion of the results of this care was embodied in the circular which 

 he then presented for the consideration of the board. 



He stated that it was the intention to send tliis circular to all parts 

 of the world, and that after eliminating from the list of the correspond- 

 ents of the institution, those whichit was not considered should receive 

 it—about two-thirds in all — there yet remained about 8,000 to be sup- 

 plied; and these were scattered all over the inhabited parts of the 

 globe, including Africa, and the small islands of the Pacific. 



In affixing the old seal of the institution to these, the secretary had 

 noticed that it bore no legend or indication of the institution's pur- 

 poses, although to the vast majority of those receiving it, these were 

 unknown. He had been led by this to prepare a new seal in which the 

 words of Sniithson, '^ For the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men " should take the place of his face. He would speak of this later. 



The circular was examined by the members of the board. The chan- 

 cellor said it might be well to state on the heading of the circular that 

 the President of the United States was ex-officio presiding officer of 

 the institution, and the secretary stated that he would act on the sug- 

 gestion. 



After reading the circular in brief, the secretary recurred to the sub- 

 ject of the seal. He said he had consulted a number of sources for 

 sucli a design, without much success, until lie had finally been fortu- 

 nate in securing one from IMr. St. Ciaudens, who had made one from 

 the secretary's indications, whicli he was ghid to submit to the regents. 



The Secretary remarked that the prejtaration of the circular and the 

 aniiouncement of the prizes r.nd medal had been made under the instruc- 

 tions of the board that this portion of the income should be expended 

 in carrying out the express wishes of the donor. The circular had been 

 carried down to Setauket and was one of the last things that had occu- 

 pied the attention of Mr. Hodgkins. He was personally consulted about 

 it and ai)proved the plan. 



Mr. Lodge then oftered the following resohition, which was adopted: 



Resolved, That the Secretary bo authorized to i)rocure a new seal for the institu- 

 tiou, with a suitable motto aud device, to comprehend, the words of Smithson, "For 

 the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," aud also the words, "Smith- 

 sonian Institution, Washington, 1846." 



The Secretary then read a portion of the will of Mr. Hodgkins where 

 he makes the institution his residuary legatee. He wished to state that 

 he had learned from the executor, but altogether unofticially, that the 

 amount coming to the institution under tliis will, as residuary legatee, 

 was but a few thousand dollars, Mr. ilodgkhis having meant to give 

 away as fnr as possible all of his i)roperty at the time of Uis deaths He 



