14 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



the endowment, which was scarcely more than sufficient to properly 

 support any one of these objects. Had it not been for this misconcep- 

 tion, it is not improbable that before this time Congress would have 

 made a more liberal provision for the support of the National Museum, 

 and the scientific operations of the Institution which have made it favor- 

 ably known throughout the world would have been much more extended. 

 From the first the organic law of Congress has, therefore, stood in the 

 way of the full development of the plan of active operations of the Insti- 

 tution; and it has only been by the gradual enlightenment of the public 

 mind as to the true character of the will of Smithson and the importance 

 of the plan of active operations, that, step by step, and after upward of 

 twenty years of continued effort, the latter has now a fair prospect of 

 producing all the results which have been claimed for it. 



As stated in previous reports, the library of the Institution has been 

 incorporated, under certain conditions, with that of Congress. The land 

 around the building presented to the Institution by the Government, 

 and upon w^hich at first about $10,000 of the income of the fund was 

 expended, has been incorporated with the public reservation set aside 

 for a park, and the cost of its keeping defrayed from the general appro- 

 priation for the maintenance of the public grounds. The establishment 

 of a gallery of art b}- the liberal endowment of Mr. Corcoran obviates 

 the necessity of anything further being done in this direction by the 

 Institution. 



Still the emancipation of the fund from local objects is not as thorough 

 as could be wished. It would be better, in mj- opinion, that the public 

 museum should bo entirely separated from the Institution. The 

 appropriations of Congress are frequently fitful, and the distinction 

 between appropriations for the museum and for the Institution is not 

 as manifest as is desirable. It is the wiser policy of the Institution to 

 ask no appropriations from Congress for its own legitimate objects, in 

 order that it may be kept entirely free from political influence. We 

 must, however, be content, in the attainment of an object depending 

 upon legislative enactment, with securing a part of what we wish, if we 

 cannot obtain the whole. 



Finances. — The following is a general statement of the condition of 



the Smithson fund at the end of the year 1870, or rather at the begiii,- 



uing of the year 1871 : 



The amount originally received as the bequest of James 

 Smithson, of England, deposited in the Treasury of the 

 United States, in accordance with the act of Congress of 

 August 10, 1846 $515, 169 00 



The residuary legacy of Smithson received in 1865, also 

 deposited in the Treasury of the United States, in accord- 

 ance with the act of Congress of February 8, 1867 26, 210 63 



Making the bequest of Smithson 541, 379 63 



