[ 1 ] 80 



contained in that museum, extending over one hundred and thirty octavo 

 pages, and relating to nearly a thousand specimens, some of them of great 

 interest and value. The fact carries its own application with it. Craving 

 your indulgence for this rambling letter, 



I am sir, your obedient servant, 



E. GEO. SQUIER. 

 Professor Joseph Henry, Secretary 



Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 



APPENDIX— No. III. 



REPORT OF COjMMISSIOMERS TO EXAMINE THE PLAJV 

 FOR FORMIKG A GENERAL STEREOTYPE CATALOGUE 

 OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IJY THE UJYITED STATES. 



COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED SEVERALLY TO 



Hon. Edward Everett, of Cambridge, 



Charles Folsom, Esq., Librarian of the Boston Atheneeum, 



George Livermore, Esq., of Boston, 



Joseph G. Cogswell, Esq., Superintendent of the Astor Library, N. York, 



S. F. Haven, Esq., Librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, and 



Rev. Edward E. Hale, of Worcester. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Aiigtist 16, 1850. 



Dear Sir : The Smithsonian Institution desirous of facilitating research 

 in literature and science and of thus aiding in the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge, has resolved to form a general catalogue of the various libra- 

 ries in the United States, and I submit to you for examination the plans 

 proposed by Professor Jewett, Librarian of the Institution, for accom- 

 plishing this object. 



First, A plan for stereotyping catalogues of libraries by separate titles 

 in a uniform style. 



Second, A set of general rules to be recommended for adoption by the 

 different libraries of the United States in the preparation of their cata- 

 logues. 



Professor Jewett will present to you his plans in person, and I beg leave 

 in behalf of the Executive Committee of the Institution to request that 

 you w^ill give this subject that attention W'hich its importance demands and 

 report 



First — The practicability of the plan presented. 



Second — On the propriety of adopting the rules proposed. 



You will also confer a favor on the Institution by giving any sugges- 

 tions with regard to the general proposition of forming a catalogue of all 

 the libraries in this country. 



I remain respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary, 



Smithsonian Institution. 



