138 Memorial of George Brmvn Goode. 



It had evidently been the behef of its chief promoters that if a museum 

 under the patronage of the Government and under the control of their 

 society could be firmly established in Washington, all the other ends 

 sought by them would follow in necessary sequence. 



In accordance with this policy circulars had been sent out to the offi- 

 cers of the Army at distant ports asking their aid and pointing out the 

 manner in which they might be useful in carrying out the objects of the 

 Institution, "and others to the governors of States and to the diplomatic 

 and consular representatives of the United States in foreign countries, 

 announcing that they had been made corresponding members, and invit- 

 ing their aid in the promotion of the objects of the Institution," and to 

 each member of Congress, with a request that he bring specimens of the 

 natural productions of his district on his return to Washington.' 



Washington, February g, 1S41. 



Sir : The National Institution for the Promotion of Science and the Useful Arts, 

 established at the seat of Government, is desirous of procuring specimens of the 

 natural productions of every portion of the United States, and for that purpose 

 respectfully asks your aid and cooperation. The district you represent doubtless 

 possesses many important minerals and vegetable productions, which might prove 

 of great value to the arts if they were generally made known. Specimens of such 

 productions being brought to Washington will not only advance the objects of the 

 Institution, but will prove advantageous to the country whence they come. They 

 will be described by the scientific members of the Institution, and their uses and 

 advantages pointed out, and the specimens exhibited to the public in its museum. 



You are respectfully requested to bring with you, on your return, such specimens 

 as you may collect during the ensuing recess. Even a single specimen from each 

 member will be of great advantage to the Institution, and be thankfully received as 

 a tribute to science. 



We have the honor to be, sir, you most obedient servants, 



J. R. Poinsett, 

 J. K. Paulding, 



Directors. 



To the Hon. . 



The assumption by a society of the important duty of organizing and 

 conducting a national museum would seem at the present time somwhat 

 strange, but it should be remembered that from the beginning it was 

 announced that all the collections made were the property of the General 

 Government, and that in the incorporation of the society by Congress all 

 the property of the corporation at the time of the expiration of its charter, 

 limited to twenty years, should belong to and devolve upon the United 

 States. Still more important a factor in the influence of the society was 

 the character of its membership, which included most of the leading men 

 in political, scientific, and literary circles, and had upon its list of officers 

 and directors such names as that of John Tyler, President of the United 

 States, and his Cabinet, an ex-Secretary of War, two leading Senators, 



' Circular letter to members of Congress, 



