74 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



The Chancellor appointed Messrs. Mason, Douglas, and Totten. 



A communication from Gilbert A. Cameron was read ; which, on 

 motion, was referred to the Building Committee. 



The Treasurer then made a statement of the condition of the finances 

 of the Institution; whicli was referred to the Executi\'e Committee. 



The Board then adjourned to meet on Saturday, 13th January, at 10 

 o'clock. 



SATURDAY, January 13, 1855. 



An adjourned meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution was held on Saturday, January 13, at ten o'clock, a. m. 



Present: The Chancellor, Roger B. Tane}^ Messrs. Bache, Berrien, 

 Choate, English, H;^\vle3^ Mason, Meacham, Pearce, Rush, Totten. 



The minutes of tlie last meeting were read and approved. 



Mr. Pearce, in belialf ot" the Executive Committee, presented the 

 estimate of appropriations for the year 1855, which, on his motion, was 

 laid on the table for the present. 



Mr. Pearce, in behalf of the Executive Committee, presented the fol- 

 lowing report in relation to the case of Mr. Blodget, which had been 

 referred to tiiat committee by the Board. 



REPORT. 



At a meeting of the Board of Regents held Saturday, July 8, 1854, 

 the Executive Committee was authorized to investigate and settle the 

 business presented to the Board by the Secretary, in reference to the 

 adjustment of" the claims of Mr. Lorin Blodget. 



The committee having investigated the matter referred to them, pre- 

 sents the following report in part: 



Mr. Blodget was employed by the Secretary of the Institution to aid 

 him by such labors in relation to the meteorological observations under 

 the direction of the Smithsonian Institution as the Secretary might 

 assign. The rates of compensation for these services were fixed fi'om 

 time to time by the same officer, and Mr. Blodget is entitled to no other 

 compensation than that paid to him. His footing in the Institution was 

 simply that of a temporary employe ot" the Secretary, in whose hands 

 rested the determination of his duties, pay, and duration of service. 

 Employed and paid for these services in connexion with the meteor- 

 ological operations, the Iruit of his labors belong exclusive!}' to the In- 

 stitution. 



In addition to these pajmients the committee is prepared on receiv- 

 ing satisfactory statements or vouchers from Mr. Blodget of reasonable 

 expenses incurred during any journeys he ma}^ have made with the 

 consent of the Secretary for objects connected with his duties in me- 

 teorology in the Institution, to refund the amount, as also any moneys 

 which may appear to the satisfaction of the committee to have been 

 paid out by him and not already repaid for clerical or other services 

 connected with the meteorological observations of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution, and for which an equivalent advantage has been recived. 



J. A. PEARCE, ) 

 JOS. G. TOTTEN, > Executive CommUtee. 

 A. D. BACHE, ) 



