TJic Genesis of tJie United States National Mnsciini. 129 



I have at this time in my office twenly-four cases of the most vahiable specimens 

 sent from Asia and Mexico to the Institute which we have not sent up, because we 

 were informed they would probably not be received, and would certainly not be 

 allowed to be opened and exhibited, as some 60 boxes or more of Institute specimens 

 are now in the room unopened and unattended to. Surely it was proper that such 

 matters should be inquired into if only for the future government of the course of 

 the Institute. We can not be without anxiety for our valuable collection nor 

 unmindful of our obligations to preserve it. 



I feci satisfied you will see with me only matter of lamentation in such a state of 

 things. Science and national pride must bitterly regret any seeming necessity ftjr it. 



All the labor, all the contributions, from whatever branch of service, civil, diplo- 

 matic, navy, military, are for the scientific reputation of our conmion coinitr\-, and 

 a hearty union of all is necessary to form a good collection. Deprive it of the chann 

 of being National, deprive it of that halo of interest with which the name National 

 has alread}' covered it, and it will soon cease to increase, will be no longer worthy 

 of a thought, and will rapidly degenerate to the insignificance of a local collection. 



Such are at least my views, and such were also the views which brought the 

 National Institute into existence, when about eight of us had our first meetings at 

 Mr. Poinsett's. We then digested a scheme in which we thought all persons could 

 unite, because it was National; which all parties could befriend, because it was 

 National; to which all conditions and branches of service could contribute, because 

 it was National ; to which the Government might extend its jiatronizing hand, because 

 it was National, because it aided and elevated the National character, and because 

 it would furnish a broad platform of National feeling, upon which all parties, all 

 sects, all conditions of life could, on principles cherished by all, meet and unite in 

 erecting a temple to National fame. And how charmingly have we gone on; look 

 at our great accunuilations for so short a time, and yet it is all but a good beginning; 

 look at the feeling which exists throughout our country and throughout the world 

 in our favor, evidenced by contributions and letters from all qiiarters, and then ask 

 the question whether to aid or to embarrass a design so glorious and so free from 

 objections w^ill give the most individual fame? 



But we must know our condition, and what we have to depend TijKin. Il is essen- 

 tial that we should, and you, as the agent of the I^ibrary Connnittee, are the only 

 person from whom we can obtain the desired information. Therefore, of necessity, 

 we had to address ourselves to you, and if I understand your answer correctly it is: 

 That you do not consider yourself at liberty to allow -Mxy of the persons receiving 

 pay from the United vStates to give any of their time or attention to the affairs of the 

 Institute, to overhaul or arrange or look after its specimens. 



Both of your predecessors, Dr. King and Dr. Pickering, were also, with the ajipro- 

 bation of the executive. Curators to the Institute, and gave some attention to its 

 affairs. We did not, of course, expect that you would take a similar trouble upon 

 yourself, and one question in my previous letter was to ascertain if you would allow 

 any of those under you to attend to the Institute collection and property. I iinder- 

 stand you also as thinking this beyond your power. Under these circumstances the 

 Institute must act, and promptly, or its valuable collection will be injured. The 

 board of management will soon meet and the matter will be brought before them. 



If in anything I have misunderstood you, I beg that 3'ou will not delay to correct 

 nic, for be assured that I have no desire to put anyone in the wrong, and least of all 

 the eminent commander of the Exploring P'xpedition. 



J- J. A. 



Soon afterwards a more serious conflict of authorit}- began — this time 

 with the Commissioner of Patents, who was actually the official guar- 

 dian, not only of a portion of the collections, but of the hall in which 

 NAT MUS 97, rT 2 9 



