84 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



section, and what disposition the}'^ will make of so much of the income 

 as they do not think requisite to apply to these objects. So the Regents 

 of 1847, who adopted the plan of organization, understood the law. So 

 they reported to Congress. The Board of Regents, however its mem- 

 bers have been changed from time to time, have always so understood 

 it, and Congress, to whom they have annually and faithfully reported 

 their proceedings, have never questioned the propriety of the construc- 

 tion. 



In organizing the Institution, different opinions indeed were entertained 

 by different members of the Board, as to the most effectual means of 

 promoting the purpose of Smithson. The conflict of opinions resulted 

 in the adoption ot" certain resolutions, which have been called the " com- 

 promise resolutions." These, while they recognize the intention of 

 Congress, and the duly of the Regents, to provide for the accumulation 

 of specimens of art and objects of natural history, and the gradual for- 

 mation of a library, pertaining to all branches of knowledge, &c., also 

 declare it to be expedient, and demanded by the will of Smithson, that 

 in the plan of organization, the increase of knowledge by original re- 

 search should form an essential feature ; that for this end premiums 

 should be offered for original papers containing positive additions to the 

 sum of human knowledge, and that these and other suitable papers 

 should be published in transactions of the Institution periodically, or 

 occasionally, &c. The seventh of these resolutions is in these words : 



" Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying into effect the two prin- 

 cipal modes of executing the act and trust pointed out in the resolutions 

 herewith submitted, the permanent appropriations out of the accruing 

 interest shall, so soon as the buildings arc completed, be annually, as fol- 

 lows ; that is to say : 



^^ First. For the formation of a library conjposed of valuable works 

 pertaining to all departments of useful knowledge, and for the procuring, 

 arranging, and preserving of the various collections of the Institution, 

 as well of natural history, and objects of foreign and curious researcli, 

 and of elegant art, as others, including salaries and all other general 

 expenses connected with the same, excepting those of the first com- 

 plete arrangement of all such collections and objects as now belong to 

 the United States in the museum of the Institution, when completed, 

 together with one-half of the salary of the Secretary, the sum of fifteen 

 thousand dollars. 



'■'■ iSccondlij. For the preparation and publication of" transactions, re- 

 ports, and all other publications of the Institution, including aj)propria- 

 tions for original researches, and premiums for original papers; for the 

 delivery of all lectures and payment of all lecturers, and for all general 

 expenses connected with said lectures and publications, together with 

 one-half of the salary of the Secretary, the remainder of the annually 

 accruing interest ; it being understood that all general and incidental 

 expenses not specially connected with either of the above two great di- 

 visions of the plan of the Institution shall be equally divided between 

 them." 



It will be seen that this division of the income of the Institution be- 

 tween the two principal modes of executing the trust was to be made 

 so soon as '•'•.the buildings were complcled,^^ and not before. 



