PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OP REGENTS. XXIII 



Shal! I admit that on taking possession of my post as consul at Genoa, I 

 did not even know who James Smithson was? I may say that I was surprised 

 to learn that he was hurled' at Genoa: more surprised still that he was an 

 Englishman, who had never even t^et foot in America. He left his great bequest 

 to the United States, then 'in its infancy, through admiring confidence in our 

 future. It is likely that many, or even most, Americans are in the same condi- 

 tion as was I myself; for occasion has rarely arisen for taking thought as to 

 the personality of the man. Happily this unenlightened condition of mind is 

 about to cease. 



Dr. Graham Bell. I wish you a hearty godsi^eed across the ocean with your 

 precious freight. The American ]ieople will rec-eive it with general gratirtcation. 

 and, through the Smithsonian Institution, will soon delight to pay it great honor. 



REMARKS OF Ar.KXANOER GRAHAM P.ELL IN RESPONSE TO THE AKOVE. 



^Ir. Consul: It is with feelings of dee[> emotion that 1 undertake the trans- 

 l)ortation of the remains of .lames Smithson from the cemetery where they have 

 so long reposed to their last resting place in tlic Fnited States. 



On behalf of the Smithsonian Institution allow me to thank you, Mr. Consul, 

 for the unwearied zeal and care with whicli,you have given me your assistance. 

 Without your active cooperation and without your personal sympathy it would 

 have been difficult indeed for me to have accomplished the object of my mission 

 here. 



On behalf of the Smithsonian Institution. I beg to thank you, too, Mr. Noel 

 Lees, for your courtesy and attention : and trust that you will convey to His 

 British Majesty's consul-general and to the conmiittee of the British Church 

 Burial Ground Fund my thanks and the thanks of the Institution I i-epresent 

 for their ready assistance in furthering my mission. 



The United States of America will jtrovide in Washington, D. C, a suitable 

 and permanent resting jilace for the remains of her great benefactor, James 

 Smithson. thnmgh the instrumentality of the Smithsonian Institution — the 

 establishment created by the Government to perpetuate his name. 



REMARKS OF NOEL LEES, ESQ. 



[On liehalf of the I'>riti.sli Burial (Iround Fund ("onimittee.] 



Dr. Graham Bell : I beg to thank you heartily for the words you have said 

 with regard to the aid you have received from the burial board and myself. 

 Although we regret to lose the remains of James Smithson, we at the same 

 time feel that in the country to v^'hich he left his money, with such charitable 

 intent, his remains will receive the honor and glory which have so long been 

 due to them, and we nuist understand that our k>ss is America's gain. To us 

 it will always remain a pleasant memory that, from the date of his burial 

 to the present day, we have had in oui- custody in this picturesque little 

 churchyard the remains of a man whose foresight and kindness have enabled 

 so many in the New World to benerit. 



Upon the conclusion of these remarks the remains of James Smith- 

 son were 'transported to the North German Lloyd steamship Princess 

 Irene, accompiinied Iw the American consul and myself. The steamer 

 left Genoa for New York on the Tth of January, 1004, touching at 

 Naples and (iibrallar on the way. The American consul at Naples, 

 General Byington, contributed an American Hag to cover the wooden 

 coffin containing the remains. 



