71 [ 1 ] 



the placing of a bell in one of the towers of the Smithsonian building and 

 stating that a very valuable town clock could probably be obtained from 

 the Treasury Department. 



On motion of Mr. Fitch, it was 



Resolved, That Mr. Lenox be appointed a committee to inquire into and 

 report upon this proposition. 



The Board then adjourned to meet again at the call of the Secretary. 



Thursday, February 27, 1851. 



The Board of Regents met this evening at 6 o'clock in the ante-room of 

 the Senate Chamber. 



Present : Messrs. Bache, Colcock, Davis, Fitch, Lenox, Mason, Pearce 

 and Totten. 



In the absence of the Chancellor, Mr. Pearce was called to the Chair. 



The proceedings of the last meeting were read. 



Mr. Bache, from the Executive Committee, offered the following reso- 

 lution which was adopted : 



Resolved, That during the year 18-51, the sum of twenty-five thousand 

 dollars be and is hereby appropriated to be expended under the dii-ection of 

 the Secretary, and with the advice of the Executive Committee for the 

 expenses of the Institution, and to carry out the several parts of the pro- 

 gramme of organization. 



On motion of Mr. Mason, it was 



Resolved, That the report of the Secretary and of the Executive- Com- 

 mittee be adopted and form parts of the report of the Regents to Congress. 

 On motion of Mr. Colcock, it was 



Resolved, That the Chancellor and Secretary be authorized to make the 

 annual report of the Regents to Congress. 



A bill was presented to the Board from W. Fischer for stationery pur- 

 chased in 1847 and 1848, on account of the Executive and Building com- 

 mittee, prior to the present system of keeping accounts. 



On motion of Mr. Fitch, it was referred to the Executive Committee for 

 examination and if found correct, for payment. 



The Secretary called attention to the statement in the report of the 

 Executive Committee, that in the examination and re-arrangement of the 

 accounts of the Institution, there had been found a few cases in which pay- 

 ment had been made in accordance with the spirit of the resolutions of the 

 Board, but which could be referred to no special appropriation. 

 On motion of Mr. Fitch, it was 



Resolved, That these accounts be referred to the Executive Committee 

 for examination, and if deemed correct, for approval. 



The Secretary informed the Board that it was necessary to publish a 

 new edition of the programme of organization and suggested the propriety 

 of making a few verbal alterations in the text, and in the sentence begin- 

 ning as follows : 



" Rewards [consisting of money, medals, &c., offered for original me- 

 moirs."] 



Of striking out the words included in brackets, which was agreed to. 

 On motion of Mr. Mason, it was 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to employ an accountant at 

 an annual salary of two hundred dollars, and to assign his duties, and that 



