THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 227 



words, to form an establishment similar to that of the British Museum. 

 The whole income devoted to this object would be entirely inadequate. 

 The portion of the main building appropriated to the museum consists 

 of a single room, two hundred leet long by fifty feet wide. This space 

 may be entirely filled in the course of three years, without the purchase 

 of a single article, if the means be adopted which present themselves 

 at the seat of government^br making collections. But when this space 

 is filled, the accumulation of specimens must cease, or an addition be 

 made to the building, which, to harmonize with the present edifice, 

 would involve a large expenditure. The question then arises, from 

 what source is this money to be obtained? It cannot be derived from 

 the annual income of the capital, for this would cripple the more im- 

 portant operations. It may be said that Congress will furnish the 

 means ; but this is relying on a very micertain source, and the pohcy 

 of applying to Congress for any aid is doubtful. 



Furthermore, a promiscuous collection, embracing full sets of the 

 objects above specified, is unnecessary in carrying out the plan of or- 

 ganization of the Institution. 



For example, the organic remains brought fi-om the upper Missouri 

 by Culbertson, have been examined and reported on b\^ Dr. Leidy, of 

 Philadelphia, in that city; and the plants from California and Mexico 

 have been referred to Dr. Torrey" at Princeton, and to Dr. Gray at 

 Cambridge. In this way, not only has the learning of ihese gentlemen 

 been brought into requisition, but also their special cabinets rendered 

 subservient to our use. The co-operation of the learning and talent, as 

 well as the use of the libraries and collections of the whole country, is 

 an essential feature of the plan, and ought not to be .lost sight of. 



I would, however, distinctly disavow the intention of underrating the 

 importance of collections in themselves. On the contrary, it ought to be 

 the duty of the Smithsonian Institution to point out the means by which 

 they may be made, and to aid in tlie work, to the extent of its ability, 

 by embracing all opportunities which may offer for procuring speci- 

 mens for distribution, and by facilitating exchange and assisting ex- 

 plorations. 



Though the formation of a eeneral collection is neither within the 

 means nor the province of the Institution, it is an object which ought 

 to engage the attention of Congress. A general museum appears to 

 be a necessary establishment at the seat of government of every civil- 

 ized nation. The nav}^, the army, and the whole corps of commercial 

 and diplomatic agents in foreign countries, all consider it their duty to 

 send to the seat of government of their own nation every object which 

 may serve to improve or to interest the people. Indeed the govern- 

 ment of the United States has already formed the nucleus of such a 

 museum in the collections now in the Patent Office. An establishment 

 of this kind can only be supported by government ; and the proposition 

 ought never to be encouraged of putting this duty on the limited, though 

 liberal bequest of a foreigner. The Smithsonian Institution will readily 

 take the supervision of an establishment of this kind, and give plans 

 for its organization and arrangement, provided it be requested to do so, 

 and the means for effecting the object be liberally supplied. 



I make these remarks with reference to the collections, because I 



