91 [ 108 ] 



The following preamble an«l resolution, submitted b}' Mr. Mason, was 

 adopted : 



It beiri^ representi'il to the Boanl tliat Mr. Heiir.v Stevoiis, now ol' J^oikIoh, has ])roposed 

 to collect ctu'tain authentic materials in Enroi)o, which may he useful for a future memoir of 

 the life auil character of James Smithsou, the founder of tlie Institution, and without com- 

 pensation for such services ; 



Hcsn/rrJ, That the secretary he authorized to aecejU tlie oirer o( Mr. Stevens, and to ap- 

 propriate a sum not exceeding iifty (hdlars lor this object. 



The secretary laid before the Eoard a communieation from .Joseph Brad- 

 ley relative to claims of John Snifhn, sub-contractor, at^ainst Gilbert Came- 

 ron, contractor for the Smithsonian l)uilding-. 



On motion of Mr. Fitch, -the letter was refeired to tlie Building Com- 

 mittee. 



The conclusion of the secretary's annual report was read, containing a 

 report by Professor Baird of the (h:'talls of the statistics of the museum, of 

 the j)rinting of the pid)lications, and of the (exchanges; also an account of 

 the operations relative to Meteorology, the statistics of which are given in 

 a report by Professor Foreman. 



On motion of Mr. Fitch, it was 



Onli'irt/, That a vote of tluxnks he jiresenfed to Sir Henry Kuhver, for his co-operation in 

 facilitating the tr.insniission of the Smithsonian pnljlication-j into (.ireat Britain, drity tree. 

 The same to he signed hy the chancellor and secretary. 



The Board then adjourned to Saturday, 21 si instant. 



WAsiiiNfiTON, Saturday, Frhriiary 21, 1S''52. 



The Board of Regents met this day, at 11 o'clock a. m. Present — Mr. 

 Taney, chancellor; Messrs. Fitch, Lenox, Mason and Totteti, of the 

 Board; and Mr. Seaton, treasure*'. 



Mr. Mason, to whom was referred the will of the late Thomas Wyjm, of 

 Brooklyn, reported that he had written to Mr. .J. II. Patten, of New York, 

 relative to the matter, atid had received a (iomtrmnication, which he pre- 

 sented to the Board. It furnished a statement of facts relative to the will, 

 with suggestions as to the course to be pursued by the Boaid with reference 

 to the bequest. 



The subject was again referred to Mr. Mason for further investigation. 



Mr. Lenox presented a report from the Building Committee on the letter 

 of J. H. Bradley, Esq., relative to the unsettled claims of .John Snilhn 

 against Gilbert Cameron, contractor, with the accompatiying resolution, 

 which was adopted : 



Re.folvcd, That the .secretary be authorized to inform .Joseph Bradley, Ksq., that although 

 the Board of Regents cannot grant me ajjplication made in his letter of 10th February last, 

 in behalf of .John Snifliii, as in their opinion it would be an interference with the rights of the 

 contractor, G. Cameron, yet that the Board will readilj'liuife in any arrangement between 

 the parties which will facilitate the sctttlenient of the controversy between the said Snifiin 

 and Cameron, not inconsistent with its own rights and duties in the business. 



The secretary stated to the Board that the contract of Mr. Cameron 

 would ex])ire on the 19lh of March, and suggested that the Board ought to 

 determine whether the fi reproofing of the centre building should be imme- 

 diately proceeded with ; and also Avhether it be advisable to provide a 



