The Genesis of the Uiiited Slates Neitiouat Museum. lOI 



Poinsett, when elected to the presidency of the National Institution, 

 was a man sixty-two years of age, who had lived an eventful life, full of 

 opportunities for observing the institutions of Europe, Asia, and South 

 America. His culture was broad and sympathetic, and he was, perhaps, 

 better fitted than any of the public men of his time to appreciate the 

 necessity of organizing our public institutions on the most lijjeral and 

 comprehensive plan. 



In his intervdews with those who advocated the establishment of an 

 observatory as the first result of the Smithsonian legacy, he showed 

 full appreciation of the value of such an institution, but seems to have 

 kept before his own mind a much more comprehensive ideal. 



Poinsett was the first to suggest the idea of a great national nuiseum 

 at the capital of the nation. 



In his address upon The Objects and Importance of the National 

 Institution for the Promotion of Science, delivered at the first anni- 

 versary meeting of the society, January 4, 1841, he advocated boldly the 

 formation of a national museum as one of the most important features 

 of a central establishment at the seat of Government, such as is main- 

 tained in every country in Europe for the advantage of those who culti- 

 vated the arts and sciences. 



To one wdio reads this address it will become evident that it was 

 Poinsett who put in words the definition of the objects of the National 

 Institution — to promote science and the useful arts, and to establish a 

 national museum of natural history. 



The following is an extract from this address: 



The lovers of science, literature, and the fine arts, residing in the District, felt 

 sensibly the absence of those resources which are found elsewhere, and are necessary 

 for the attainment of knowledge. They were mortified to perceive that the great 

 advantages possessed by the public authorities at Washington were neglected, and 



and letter, February 7, 1842, Idem., p. 157.) Doctor Peter S. Duponceau, president 

 of the American Philosophical Society, in a letter to the Institution in November, 

 1840, remarked: "Congress can not find a better opportunity to execute the will of 

 that beneficent testator than by laying hold of your institution, and making it its 

 own." (Idem., ist Bull., p. 12.) The Hon. Virgil Maxcy, charge d'affaires at Bel- 

 gium, wrote in December, 1840, that in his opinion no better use could be made of 

 the bequest than ' ' to place it under the direction of a Society organized for the 

 carrying into effect identical views with those contemplated by the philanthropical 

 and philosophical testator." (Idem., p. 46.) 



See in this connection letters from Richard Rush, on the Smithsonian bequest 

 Proceedings of the National Institution (2d Bull., 1842, pp. 201-204) ; from Peter S. 

 Duponceau, on the Smithsonian bequest (Idem., 204-20S) ; from Hon. Virgil Maxcy, 

 charge d'affaires of the United States to Belgium (ist Bulletin, pp. 46, 47); 

 Opening Address by John Tyler, President of the United States, patron of the 

 National Institute (3d Bulletin, pp. 437, 438) ; letter from the Hon. Levi Woodbury, 

 United States Senate (Idem., pp. 451-453); Smithsonian bequest, by the Hon. 

 Richard Rush (Idem., pp. 455-460); address of Hon. Mr. Preston, of the United 

 States Senate (Idem., p. 236); letter of John Pickering, of Boston, September i, 

 1841 (2d Bull., pp. 107, no). 



