The Genesis of t/w U}iited States National Aluseutn. 175 

 NOTE C. 



REMARKS SUBMITTED TO THE HO^fORABLE MR. WALKER BY MR. 

 MARKOE AND COLONEL ABERT. 



In conformity with the desire you expres.sed, that -we should put on paper the 

 substance of our conversation with you on certain matters connected with the Insti- 

 tute, we submit the following to your consideration : 



There are several points which, to our experience and reflections, are essential to 

 the prosperity of the Institute, and to the great objects for which it was chartered. 

 These are : 



ist, That the Institute should be the organ of the Government in the arrangement 

 and preservation of the collections, and in the supervision of the appropriations 

 which the Government may make for those purposes. 



2d, That the Institute should have the power of disposing of all duplicates by 

 a system of exchanges with other institutes, or with States, or with individuals. 



As all the Government collections are placed under the care of the Institute, and 

 as all the collections which have been made, or will hereafter be made by the Insti- 

 tute, must, by its charter, eventually become the property of the Government, the 

 necessity of a harmonious and intimate intercourse between the Institute and the 

 Government seems, to our judgment, self-evident. This idea is clearly maintained 

 in the charter of the Institute, which makes the six heads of the different Govern- 

 ment Departments, six of its Directors. 



But the nominal charge which the Institute now has, of the collections, amounts to 

 nothing, and the same may be said of the very slight and extremely indirect influ- 

 ence which it has been allowed to exercise over the Government expenditures for 

 the preservation and arrangement of the collections. At present there are three 

 controlling or operating powers over these subjects : First, the Library Committee 

 of Congress; second, the Navy Department; and third, the Institute; but of this 

 last, its influence is so slight, if it can be said to have any, that it would be too 

 much to say it is either felt or acknowledged. Such a divided state of control can 

 not fail to operate injuriously upon persons employed and upon their duties, as it 

 is difficult to say who is their head, who shall direct or superintend their operations, 

 or who shall decide upon the propriety of expenditures, and to whom they are 

 accountable. 



It is clear, to our judgment, that the desired and necessary control can not well 

 be exercised by the Library Committee. This connnittee can not be considered as 

 present, upon an average, for more than six months of each year; and when jiresent 

 the legislative functions of its members nmst occupy each the greater part of their time 

 and minds.' It is equally clear that these powers can not be well exercised by the 

 Navy Department. In addition to its other various and highly important duties, 

 there is no kindred occupation in any of its interesting functions which would give 

 to it the means of judging of the proper occupation of the persons employed upon 

 the collections, or of the propriety or appropriateness of any expenditure which may 

 be made; nor can it devote the time requisite to superintend either occupations or 

 expenditures. Under such circumstances surprise should not be created if disap- 

 pointment were to be experienced in reference to anticipated results from Govern- 

 ment patronage. The Institute, as before remarked, possessing neither influence 

 or authority, can exercise no control; and although it may, as a consequence, be 

 free from responsibility, it can not, in our opinion, be exempt from serious anxieties, 



'This committee also expires on the 4th of every other March, and in consequence 

 it can exercise no control, either directly or indirectly, until after the election of a 

 new connnittee at the ensuing December session of Congress. 



