8 [Rep. No. 181. ] 



them, if there is more than one, in the manner their father shall judg^e 

 proper, and in case of his omitting to decide this, as the Lord Chancellor 

 shall judge proper. 



Should my said nephew, Henry James Hungerford marry, I empower 

 him to make a jointure. 



In case of the death of my said nephew without leavmg a child or chil- 

 dren, or of the death of the child or children he may have had under the 

 age of 21 years or intestate, I then bequeath the whole of my property, 

 subject to the annuity of £100 to John Fitall, and for the security and pay- 

 ment of which I mean stock to remain in this country, to the United 

 States of America, to found, at Washington, under the name of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of know- 

 ledge among men. 



I think it proper here to state, that all the money which will be standing in 

 the French five per cents, at my death, in the names of the father of my 

 above mentioned nephew, Henry James Hungerford, and all that in my 

 name, is the property of my said nephew, being what he inherited from his 

 father, or what I have laid up for him from the savings upon his income. 



JAMES SMITHSON, [l. s.] 



Department of State, 



Washington, September 26, 1835. 



Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of 

 28th July last, (No. 197,) relative to a bequest of property to a large amount 

 left to the United States by Mr. James Smithson, for the purpose of founding 

 at Washington an institution " for the increase and difiusion of knowledge 

 amoncr men ;" and to inform you that your letter, and the papers which 

 accompanied it, have been submitted to the President, who has determined 

 to lay the subject before Congress at its next session. The result of its 

 deliberations, when obtained, shall be communicated to you, with the neces- 

 sary instructions. 



Of the course intended to be pursued in relation to this matter, as above 

 explained, you will take occasion to acquaint the solicitors who apprized 

 you of the existence of Mr. Sjinithson's will. 



I am, sir. your obedient servant, 



JOHN FORSYTH. 

 Aaron Vail, Esquire, 



Charge cV Affaires of the United States, London. 



In the House or Representatives, Jamim'y 19, 1836. 



On motion of Mr. Chapin. of New York, it was 

 Ordered, Tliat five thousand extra copies of the rejx)rt submitted by the 

 honorable chairman of the select committee, together with the message of 

 the President of the United States, correspondence, and will relating to the 

 ''^oquest of James Smithson, of London, at Washington, an establishment 

 for the increase and difiusion of knowledge among men, be printed for the 

 use of the House. 



