Doc. No. 11. II 



few words, are my notions on this subject, which I respectfully submit, 

 sir, to your better judgment. 



Accept, I pray you, the assurances of my sincere and high considera- 

 tion. 



THOMAS COOPER, M. D. 



Sydenham, near Philadelphia, 



November 6, 1838. 



Sir : Referring to your letter of July, the receipt of which I had the 

 honor to acknowledge, and desiring now to meet the wishes it conveys, 

 however sincerely distrustful I am of myself in attempting the task, I 

 proceed to remark : that a university or college, in the ordinary sense, or 

 any institution looking to primary education, or to the instruction of the 

 young merely, does not strike me as the kind of institution contemplated 

 by Mr. Smithson's will ; declaring it, in language simple, yet of the widest 

 import, to be " for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," 

 and making the United States the trustee of his intentions, it seems to 

 follow that it ought to be as comprehensive as possible in its objects and 

 means, as it must necessarily be national in its government. In turning 

 my thoughts to the subject, it is, therefore, only upon a basis the most com- 

 prehensive, under all views, that 1 can think of any general plan for its 

 organization. Hence it appears to me : 



1. That even oflBcers of the United States, abroad and at home, might 

 be made subservient to some of the main objects of the institution — as 

 their consuls, naval and military officers; and, I would add, their foreign 

 ministers. 



Consuls, by their residence in foreign ports, have opportunities ef be- 

 coming acquainted with the natural history and productions of the places 

 where they reside, and learning other things useful to be known. This 

 class of officers had instructions, at a former period of the Government, 

 to send home seeds, plants, and other productions, beneficial to agricul- 

 ture, manufactures, or any of the useful arts. But their efforts were frus- 

 trated or impeded for want of a fund to defray incidental expenses, 

 which, however small, constitutional scruples existed against providing. 

 The Smithsonian fund might supply the means of renewing such instruc- 

 tions, giving to them more scope as well as efficacy. 



Our naval officers, those especially in separate commands on foreign 

 stations, must have opportunities of gaining knowledge in other spheres 

 than those to be filled by their usual reports to the Navy Department; 

 and the same may be said of officers of the army, in regard to the War 

 Department. Many of the latter, by their stations at garrisons, or em- 

 ployment otherwise in remote and unexplored parts of our country, have 

 the means, as past instances testify, of collecting facts bearing upon its 

 geology, its natural history in all branches, its antiquities, and the char- 

 acter of its aboriginal races; the communication of which might advan- 

 tageously fall in with the purposes of this institution, and be ultimately 

 promulgated through its instrumentality. 



I propose to include, also, ministers plenipotentiary among the func- 

 tionaries who might serve the institution, and, through it, the general 

 public, on this occasion. By their power of commanding the best inter- 

 course in the several communities to which they are sent, they may open 



