7 [ 1 ] 



Antiquiti( s, Ethnology aiul the various branches of Physical Science, and 

 by publishing and distributing among libraries and other public institu- 

 tions, accounts of the results which might thus be obtained, as well as of 

 those of the labors of men of talent which could not otherwise be given 

 to the world. 



This plan which was probably in the mind of the donor when he gave 

 expression to the few but comprehensive words which indicate the objects 

 of the bequest, is found from our experience to be eminently practical. It 

 requires no costly building or expensive permanent establishment. Its 

 operations, limited only by the amount of the income, are such as to affect 

 the condition of man wherever literature and science are cultivated, while 

 it tends in this country to give an impulse to original thouglit, which, 

 amidst the strife of politics, and the inordinate pursuit of wealth, is of 

 all things most desirable. 



It was with the hope of being able to assist Ln the practical develop- 

 ment of this plan, that I was induced to accept the appointment of principal 

 executive officer of th-e Institution. Many unforeseen obstacles however 

 presented fhemselves to its full adoption, and its advocates soon found in 

 contending with opposing views and adverse interests, a wide difference 

 between what in their opinion ought to be done and what they could actu- 

 ally accomplish. 



The plan was novel and by many considered entirely chimerical; indeed 

 it could not be properly appreciated except by thos-e who had been devoted 

 to original research. Besides this, the law of Congress incorjiorating (he 

 Institution, while it did not forbid the expenditure of a part of the. income 

 for other objects, autliorized the formation of a Lil)rary, a Museum and a. 

 Gallery of Art, and the erection of a building, on a liberal scale, for their 

 accommodation. It was indeed the opinion of many that the whole income 

 ought to be expended on these objects. The Regents did not consider 

 themselves at liberty to disreg-ard the indications of Congress, and the 

 opinion expressed in favor of Collections, and after much discussion it 

 was finally concluded to divide the income into two equal jiarts, and after 

 deducting the general expenses, to devote one half to the active ojieralions; 

 set forth in the plan just described; and the other, to the formation of a 

 Library, a Museum and a Gallery of Ait. 



It was evident however that the small income of the original bequ(St, 

 though in Itself sufficient to do much good in the way of active operation 

 was inadequate to carry out this more extended plan; to maintain the 

 ■staff of. attendants and to defray other contingent expenses incick^ntal to 

 a large establishment of this kind. Besides the Secretary and an Assistant 

 to attend to the general operations, two principal assistants would be re- 

 quired, one to take charge of the Library and the other of the Museum 

 of Natural History, and to these sufficient salaries must l)e given to secure 

 the services of men of the first reputation and talents in their respective 

 lines. It therefore became absolutely necessary that the income should 

 'be increased, and in order to do this, "it was proposed to save the greater 

 part of the l^if^^ 4:2, 000 of accrued interest which Congress had authorized 

 to be expended in a building, by erecting at a cost not to exceed J!r;10,0()0 

 the nucleus of an e(H(ice which could l)e expanded as the wants of the 

 Institution might require, and to a(hl the remainder to the principal. 



Unfortunately however, for this proposition. Congress had presented, to 

 the Institution, the great Museum of the Exploring Expedition, and a 



