lyS Memorial of George Broivn Goodc. 



nients to foreign and domestic institutions, and to individuals, on the principle of 

 exchanges, because the Institute has not the right to dispose of specimens, although 

 its cases are loaded with duplicates. The collections of the Government being placed 

 in the Institute on deposit, the committee upon exchanges have not felt themselves 

 at liberty to use a specimen. We have heard with extreme regret that it is con- 

 templated to give all duplicates back to the collectors. Such a course, m our opinion 

 would be ruinous in the extreme, as it would destroy one of the great means of 

 increasing the collection by a system of exchanges. And as these collectors were 

 amply paid for their labors, we can see no reason for such a course in justice or 

 equity Nor can we believe that such a course is desired by the scientific corps of 

 the Expedition, for, while other men of science are daily making collections, at their 

 own expense, and sending them to the Institute, many as presents, some inexpecta- 

 tation of exchanges, it would place the gentlemen of this corps low in the scale of con- 

 tributors to science if, after having been so long and so liberally paid for their labors, 

 they should yet desire the result of these labors to be given back to them. Moreover, 

 we have understood that by far the greater number of these specimens were actually 

 bought by the collectors from funds furnished by the United States. We can see, 

 therefore; no reason whatever that they should be returned unless the Government 

 is disposed to abandon all idea of forming an enlarged scientific and interesting 



National Museum. 



From our remarks, then, it will appear that, in our judgment, there are serious 

 defects in the present condition of affairs which require to be remedied: one, m the 

 absence of a responsible and adequate supervision of the arrangement and preserva- 

 tion of the collections and of the persons and expenditures in reference thereto; the 

 other, in the absence of authority to dispose of duplicates. These defects can be 

 properly remedied only by legislative provision. 



We desire it to be distinctly understood that our reasoning has no reference to the 

 publication of the resuhs of the voyage, but is limited solely to the preservation, 

 arrangement, and exhibition of the collections. We think, however, that the Insti- 

 tute might also be able to give acceptable opinions, even in reference to the publica- 

 tion-its form and style of execution. But as there is an anxiety to possess this power 

 by others and as it is already placed elsewhere, we do not seek to interfere with it. 

 not doubting that in all its parts it will equal similar publications by other govern- 

 ments, and justify the anticipations which are now entertained of it by the learned 



world. , 1 ■ i -11 



Having thus expressed our general views on these several sul^jects, we will con- 

 clude by\an effort to condense them in a manner that will admit of their being incor- 

 porated in a law. 



This law should, in our opinion, contain provisions investing— 

 First The board of managers of the National Institute with the custody of all the 

 Government collections which have been received or which may hereafter be received 

 from the Exploring Squadron or other sources, with authority to make all necessary 

 arrangements to preserve or exhibit the same, to regulate, under the supervision o 

 the President of the United States, the number and compensations of persons employed 

 on said duties, and to superintend the public disbur.sements in relation thereto. 



Second To authorize the said board to exchange any of the duplicates of said col- 

 lections with other institutions, or with State collections, or with individuals; and 

 to require the board annually to lay before the President of the United States, to be 

 by him laid before Congress, a full account of their proceedings under this law. _ 



Third To direct the said board to furnish to the persons who shall be employed in 

 thewriting or publication of the voyage and discoveries of the Exploring Squadron 



all desired facilities.' ^ 



' Copied from original draft of Colonel Abert. 



