S. Mis. 53. 93 



Mr. Rush offered the following resolution, which was adopted : 



Resolved, That a sum not exceeding live hundred dollars he, and 

 the same is hereby, appropriated ior the purchase of philosophical 

 instruments to be used in the new expedition in search of Sir John 

 Franklin in the Arctic seas, and which are to be committed to the 

 charge of Dr. E. K. Kane, of that expedition. 



The Secretary presented the application of the Rev. Mr. Dennison 

 for the use of the lecture-room for holding religious service therein, 

 which was referred to the Secretary. 



The Secretary presented the case of Stanley's gallery of Indian 

 portraits, for which, if they should be purchased by the government, 

 the use of the gallery of art was considered necessary as a temporary 

 place of deposit : also referred to the Secretary. 



The reading of the annual report was then continued, including the 

 report of Prof Baird, Assistant Secretary, relative to exchanges. 



Mr. Mason expressed a desire to resign his place as member of the 

 Executive Committee, which he had accepted with a view to the re- 

 appointment of Mr. Bache as Regent, and his subsequent re-election 

 as a member of the Executive Committee. 



The resignation of Mr. Mason was accepted, and Mr. Bache re- 

 elected. 



A letter was presented from Gilbert Cameron, requesting, on ac- 

 count of his reputation, to be allowed to finish the centre building, and 

 claiming this privilege as a right under his general contract: reierred 

 to the Building Committee. 



The Board then adjourned to Thursday evening, February 3, at 

 6J o'clock. 



Washington, February 3, 1S53. 



The Board of Regents met this evening at 8 o'clock. Present : 

 Messrs. Bache, Charlton, Colcock, Mason, Maury, Meacham, and 

 Totten, of the Board, and Washington Irving, honorary member. 



Mr. Mason took the cliair. 



The proceedings of the previous meeting were read and approved. 



The Building Committee, to which was referred the letter of Mr, 

 Cameron relative to his right to the contract for finishing the centre 

 building, reported progress, and presented a communication from Mr. 

 Carlisle upon this subject, which was then referred back to the com- 

 mittee. 



The Secretary presented a plan of a building for a magnetic ob- 

 servatory near the Institution ; stating, also, that instruments of^ the 

 best construction, now in the possession of die Superintendent of the 

 U. S. Coast Survey, would be furnished. 



Mr. Colcock offered the following resolution, which was adopted : 



Resolved, That a magnetic observatory be erected, under the super- 

 vision of the Building Committee, at such place on the grounds of the 

 Institution as diey may select, and according to a plan to be approved 

 by them, and that the sum of eleven hundred dollars is hereby appro- 

 priated therefor. 



