The Genesis of tlic U>iitcd States Nalio)ial Mitseitnt. io7 



The ineinorial was presented in clue course of time, and in June, 1S44, 

 Senator Choate presented a report upon the character and uses of the 

 Institute, recommending that its property should be vested in the United 

 vStates and an appropriation made for its benefit. 



I have not been able to find a copy of this memorial, but since it was 

 evidently prepared by Mr. J. R. IngersoU' it is safe to assume that the 

 grounds for asking aid were essentially those named in his "preamble" 

 read to the society December 28, 1843." 



In the meantime, on the occasion of the first annual meeting of the 

 National Institute (under its new name and in its capacity as a corpora- 

 tion), in April, 1844, the meeting of the friends of science, including, 

 besides all the members and patrons of the National Institute, the mem- 

 bers of the American Philosophical vSociety and of the Association of 

 American Geologists and Naturalists (the predecessor of the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science), had been held in Wash- 

 ington. The occasion was a brilliantl}^ successful one. The President 

 of the United States presided at the first meeting and some prominent 

 public men at each of the others. 



The National Institute received its full share of encomium. President 

 Tyler lauded it highly, held out the hope that the Government would 

 "continue to it a fostering care," and expressed in a general wa}- the 

 hope that it should be identified with the future National Museum and 

 the future Smithsonian Institution. 



"Where can the Government find," said he, "a safer depository for 

 the fruits of its expeditions, fitted out to explore distant and unknown 

 regions, than the National Institute? What can it better do for the 

 ' increase and diffusion of knowledge among men ' than by patronizing 

 and sustaining this magnificent undertaking?" 



vScnator Walker, of Mississippi, one of the directors of the Institute, 

 delivered a very appreciative introductory address on the present con- 

 dition and history of American science, ending with an appeal to scien- 

 tific men to come forward and unite with the people in sustaining and 

 advancing the National Institute. 



vSenator Woodbury, in a letter to the secretary of the Institution, 

 expressed himself strongly in favor of making the .society the agent of 

 the Government in the matter of caring for collections, patents, and 

 copyrights, and also in the execution of the vSmithson trust. 



John Quiucy Adams closed his address in these words: 



I avail myself of this occasion to express my regret that, having taken an lunnble 

 part in the establishment of this Institution from its first foundation, under the 

 auspices of Mr. Poinsett, I have been able to contribute so little to its promotion 



'At the meeting of May, 1844, the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll offered remarks upon 

 the pecuniary embarrassments of the Institute, and expressed a hope that Congress 

 would furnish the required aid. ( Proceedings of the National Institute, 3(1 lUill., 



P- 359- ) 



^Proceedings of the National Inslitutt-, 3d Bull., p. 332. 



