l6o Memorial of George Broivn Goode. 



One messenger and laborer, at |i per day. 



The occasional employ of laborers and :nechanics. 



All of the appropriations not required for these employments have been expended 

 for cases, glassware, and other necessary contingencies to such an establishment, 

 the accounts and vouchers for which have been duly rendered. 



As before remarked, these arrangements are but temporary, nor are they com- 

 mensurate to the :nass of labor which has to be done, or to the just expectations 

 which are entertained in reference to it. More force must be employed and more 

 yaried talent than the means appropriated have enabled the Institution to command. 

 With the experience which has been acquired, the committee will, if desired, under 

 the correcting hand of the Institution, submit to your consideration their views in 

 reference to the expenditure of an}- future appropriation. 



The funds of the Institution are of two kinds. 



First, the amount derived from the annual tax upon members. 



Second, the amounts appropriated by Congress. 



The first is necessarily small, from the few members liable to the tax, and the 

 amount of it, for each, |5 per annum ; and it is expended for rare and necessary 

 books, necessary printing, cases, and other contingencies. 



The second has as yet been no more than $5,500, and has been expended in the 

 manner and for the purposes before indicated. We are now, however, without means, 

 and were it not that the individuals employed continue at the labor in the hope that 

 the government will continue its patronage to its own property, the work of prepa- 

 ration and arrangement would be suspended, as the most the Institution could do 

 from its own funds, would be to employ some one to take care of the collection. 



The object of the Institution is to " increase and to diffuse knowledge among men. ' ' 

 Its time and whatever talent it possesses are faithfully devoted to it. But its mem- 

 bers have occupations, private and public, which can not be neglected, and they 

 have not the wealth for voluntary contributions. We are therefore obliged to look 

 to the Government for aid in finids. In other countries, where, although public 

 spirit may not be, individual wealth is so much greater, no institution of the kind 

 has ever succeeded without government patronage. How much more necessary, 

 then, is such patronage with us. And the more justifiable and necessary will this 

 patronage appear, when the reflection is made, that the greater part of the property 

 under our care already belongs to the government, and that all donations, collec- 

 tions, and purchases by the funds of the Institution, must by our constitution event- 

 ually take the same course. The Institution is but a curator for the government, 

 voluntarily bestowing its time and talents to objects which can not fail to increase 

 national fame, to elevate national character, and to promote the design of the great 

 philanthropist to "increase and to diffuse knowledge among men." 



We therefore respectfully but confidently address you as Directors of the Institution 

 and as heads of the Departments under which former appropriations were expended 

 and solicit your efforts to obtain further government aid. 



There are two points to which we are anxious to draw your particular attention. 

 One is an appropriation from Congress for preparing and arranging the government 

 collection; the other for additional space. The first is absolutely necessary, for as 

 before remarked, former appropriations are exhausted, and the work must be aban- 

 doned, if more is not granted. We consider that about |2o,ooo is required for the 

 active and correct prosecution of the work during the year 1842. More labor must 

 be applied, and more varied talent be employed; and we believe it will not be 

 expected that these requisites are to be obtained without a proper consideration. 

 The committee pledge themselves to a faithful superintendence of the expenditures, 

 and to a faithful account of it. 



The second is equally necessary. We want space properly to exhibit the speci- 

 mens. We acknowledge that our occupation of the half of the room assigned to the 



