THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 77 



inquire and report to this House whether the Smithsonian Institution 

 has been managed, and its fiinds expended, in accordance with the law 

 estabhshing the Institution ; and whether any additional legislation be 

 necessary to carry out the designs of its founders, and that said com- 

 mittee have power to send for persons and papers. 



The Speaker thereupon appointed Mr. Upham, of Massachusetts ; 

 Mr. Witte, of Pennsylvania ; Mr. Taylor, of Tennessee ; Mr. Wells, of 

 Wisconsin; and Mr. Puryear, of North Carohna, the said commhtee. 



On motion of Mr. Pearce, it was — 



Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Chancellor 

 to represent the Board of Regents before the committee of the House 

 of R:^presentatives. 



The Chancellor appointed Messrs. Pearce, Mason, Bache, Rush, and 

 the Secretary, as the committee. 



The Secretary laid before the Boaid his annual report. 

 %.^ Communications, and a bill of charges from Lorin Blodget, were 

 read, and, on motion of Mr. Stuart, referred to the Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



Communication from G. Cameron, the contractor for the building, 

 was read, and referred to the Building Committee. 



Communication from J. M. Stanley, artist, offering to dispose of his 

 Indian Gallery, was read, and, after remarks, on motion it was — 



Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed respectfully to decline the 

 offer made to the Board by Mr. Stanley. 



A communication relative to the Geographical and Commercial Ga- 

 zette was read, and referred to the Executive Committee. 



The Board then adjourned to meet on Saturday, February 10, at 10 

 o'clock, a. m. 



Washington, Febniary 10, 1855. 



Present : Messrs. Bache, Mason, Pearce, Totten, and the Secretary 

 There being no quorum, adjourned to Saturday, February 17. 



Washington, February 17, 1855. 

 Messrs. English, Pearce, Totten, Towers, and the Secretary present. 

 There being no quorum, adjourned to meet on Saturday, February 24. 



Washington, February 24, 1855. 



An adjourned meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Satur- 

 day, February 24, 1855, at 10 o'clock a. m. 



Present: The Chancellor, Roger B. Taney, Messrs. Bache, Doug- 

 las, English, Pearce, Totten, Seaton, treasurer, and the Secretary. 



A report entitled " Report of the Hon. James Meacham, of the 

 special committee of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, on the distribution of the income of the Smithsonian fund," &c., 

 was presented, and on motion laid on the table. 



On motion of Mr. English, the following resolution was adopted: 



Resolved, That three persons be appointed a committee of finance, 

 who shall inquire into the safety and propriety- of the present invest- 



