330 McDiorial of George Brozcni Goodc. 



Two distinct objects, which, in other countries have been kept asunder, niaj' and 

 ought to be united; they are both of great national importance; and by being 

 embraced in the same Institution they will aid each other in their acquisition. These 

 are the advancement of knowledge by associations of scientific men, and the dissem- 

 ination of its rudiments by the instruction of youth. The first has been the business 

 of learned corporations, such as the Royal Society of London and the National Insti- 

 tute of France; the second is pursued by collections of instructors, under the name 

 of universities, colleges, academies, etc. 



The leading principle of uniting these two branches of improvement in one Insti- 

 tution, to be extended upon a scale that will render it truly national, requires some 

 development. We find ourselves in possession of a country so vast as to lead the 

 mind to anticipate a scene of social intercourse and interest unexampled in the expe- 

 rience of mankind. This territory presents and will present such a variety of pro- 

 ductions, natural and artificial, such a diversity of connections abroad, and of manners, 

 habits, and propensities at home, as will create a strong tendency to diverge and 

 separate the views of those who shall inhabit the different regions within our limits. 



It is most essential to the happiness of the people and to the preservation of their 

 republican principles, that this tendency to a separation should be overbalanced by 

 superior motives to a harmony of sentiment; that they may habitually feel that 

 community of interest on which their fedf ral system is founded. This desirable 

 object is to be attained, not only by the operatians of the government in its several 

 departments, but by those of literature, sciences, and arts. The liberal sciences are 

 in their nature republican; they delight in reciprocal communication; they cherish 

 fraternal feelings, and lead to a freedom of intercourse, combined with the restraints 

 of society, which contribute together to our improvement. 



To explore the natural productions of our country, give an enlightened direction 

 to the labors of industry, explain the advantages of interior tranquillity, of moderation 

 and justice in the pursuits of self-interest, and to promote, as far as circumstances 

 will admit, an assimilation of civil regulations, political principles, and modes of 

 education, must engage the solicitude of every patriotic citizen; as he nmst perceive 

 in them the necessary means of securing good morals and every republican virtue; a 

 wholesome jealousy of right and a clear understanding of duty; without which, no 

 people can be expected to enjoy the one or perform the other for anj- number of 

 years. 



The time is fast approaching when the United States, if no foreign disputes should 

 induce an extraordinary expenditure of money, will be out of debt. From that time 

 forward, the greater part of their public revenue may, and probably will, be applied 

 to public improvements of various kinds; such as facilitating the intercourse through 

 all parts of their dominion by roads, bridges, and canals; such as making more exact 

 surveys, and forming maps and charts of the interior country, and of the coasts, bays, 

 and harbors, perfecting the system of lights, buoys, and other nautical aids; such as 

 encouraging new branches of industry, so far as may be advantageous to the public, 

 either by offering premiums for discoveries, or by purchasing from their proprietors 

 such inventions as shall appear to be of immediate and general iitility, and rendering 

 them free to the citizens at large; such as exploring the remaining parts of the wil- 

 derness of our continent, both within and without our own jurisdiction, and extend- 

 ing to their savage inhabitants, as far as may be practicable, a taste for civilization, 

 and the means of knowing the comforts that men are capable of yielding to each 

 other in the peaceable pursuits of industry, as they are understood in our stage of 

 society. 



To prepare the way for the government to act on these great objects with intelli- 

 gence, economy, and effect, and to aid its operations when it shall be ready to apply 

 its funds to that purpose, will occupy in part the attention of that branch of the 

 Institution composed of men of scientific research; whose labors, it is expected, will 



