REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 29 



natioual scientific value, and the Ibruiation of what, as regards its site, 

 at least, is. the finest zoolojiical garden in existence — all these consider- 

 ations have moved it to see m this an opportunity to carry out its legit- 

 imate work, " the increase aiul diffusion of knowledge among men." 



When, therefore, Seim tor Beck made the nnderstauding that the Smith- 

 sonian Institution would accei)t the charge of such a i>ark, the i)rimary 

 condition on whi(;h he would undertake to recommend it to ('ongress, 

 the Secretary felt authorized to say that he believed it propable that 

 the proi)osition would be favorably viewed by the regents, and, the 

 matter once brought before Congress, he has not disguised his own 

 interest in the success of the measure. 



The bill, biought in by j\Ir. Breckinridge in the House (and by Sen- 

 ator Morrill in the Senate), apinonriates !j?l!0(>,()U() tor the purchase of 

 not less than ]00 acres of land. The land actually niost desired for the 

 zoological ]»ark covers about 120 acres, being ])recisely that portion of 

 the Kock Creek Valley which will be soone.st destroyed, as reganls its 

 picturesque and attractive features, by the laying out of streets and 

 lots. Nevertheless, and largely owing to the very fact that the pict- 

 uresqueness of the locality implies the existence of rocks, precij^ices, 

 and valleys, Avhich it would cost much to level and fill in., this laud can 

 still be obtained at rates which, considering its neighborhood to the 

 city, are remarkably chea]). The most thorough examination that 1 

 have been able to make, the testimony of various real-estate experts 

 and others, have satisfied me that the i:>urchase may and will be com- 

 pleted for somewhat less than the sum named in the appropriation, even 

 leaving a small margin for the erection of a preliminary shelter for the 

 animals. 



I beg most respectfully to urge upon the attention of the committee 

 the fact that it is at once the strength and weakness ol this measure 

 that, so far as is known, it is an entirely disinterested one, the real- 

 estate holders in the vicinity being generally indifferent or opposed to 

 it, ibr reasons which can be explained, if desired, and that it is being 

 thus ])ressed upon Congress by those who have the mea^sure at heart, 

 because anything that is done must be done soon. It is probable that 

 within a year or two more, the good fortune which has kept this singu- 

 larly interesting sj)Ot intact, while the gnowing city is encircling it, will 

 ])rotect it no longer. It is not the mere si)ace on the mai) which is to 

 be secured, but natural advantages which have no relation to the num- 

 ber of acres, and M'hich can not be restored if once destroyed, since it 

 is not in the power of Congress itself by any expenditure of money to 

 recrciate a rock or a tree. 



I am, very respectfully, yours, 



S. r. LANCiLEY, 



lion. Samuel Dibble, Secretary. 



House of Representatives. 



It appears, however, that this recommendation could not be brought 

 to the consideration of Congress in season for action, and at nearly the 

 same time Senator Edmunds introduced an amendment to the District 

 1)ill. There were at this time two measures l)eing pressed upon the 

 attention of Congress, one for the creation of a national i)ark, includ- 

 ing a thousand or more acres ui)on Kock Creek, extending far beyond 

 the limits of the proposed zoological i)ark, and requiring a large ex- 

 X)enditure not for buildings but lor hinds, a measure with which the 



