24th Congress, £ Rep. Nd. 181. ] Ho. of Reps. 



1st Session. 



SMITHSONIAN BEaUEST. 



[ To accompany bill H. R. No. 187.] 



January 19, 1836. 



CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



In the House of Representatives, December 21, 1835. 



The message of the President of the United States, in relation to the 

 bequest of .Tames Smitlison, of London, for founding at Washington an 

 " institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men ;" was 

 referred to a select committee ; and 



Mr. John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, Mr. Thomas, of Maryland, 

 Mr. Garland, of Virginia, Mr. Pearce, of Rhode Island, Mr. Speight, of North 

 Carolina, Mr. McKennon, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hannegan, of Indiana, Mr. 

 Garland, of Louisiana, and Mr. Chapin, of New York, were appointed the 

 said committee. 



i 



Mr. Adams, from the Select Committee on the message of the President 

 ' relating to the bequest of James Smithson, made the following 



REPORT : 



The Select Committee, to which was referred the message of tlie Presi- 

 dent of the United States, of the \7th of December last, with docimients 

 relating to the bequest of James Smithso?i, of Londo?i, to the United 

 States of America, for the purpose of founding at Washington, an 

 establishment under tJie name of the Smithsonian Institution, for the 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, respectfully report : 



That, from the papers transmitted to Congress with the message of the 

 President, it appears, that James Smithson, a foreigner, of noble family and 

 of affluent fortune, did, by his last will and testament, made in the year 

 1826, bequeath, under certain contingencies, which have since been re- 

 alized, and with certain exceptions, for which provision was made by the 

 same will, the whole of his property, of an amount exceeding four hundred 

 tliousand dollars, to the United States of America, to Ibund at Washington, 

 under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the in- 

 •crease and diffusion of knov.dedge among men. 



To the acceptance of this bequest, and to the assumption and fulfilment of 

 the high and honorable duties involved in the performance of the trust 

 committed with it, the Congress of the United States, in their legislative 

 capacity, are alone competent. Your committee believe, not only that 

 they are thus competent, but that it is enjoined upon them, by considera- 

 tions of the most imperious and indispensable obligation. The first steps 

 necessary to be taken for carrying into effect the benevolent intentions of 

 Blair & Rives, printers. 



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