4 



and difFasing knowledge, and to give to the institution the widest influ- 

 ence compatible with its limited income. That all the propositions will 

 meet with general approval cannot be expected; and that this organization 

 is the best that could be devised is neither asserted nor believed. To 

 produce a 'priori a plan of organization which shall be found to succeed 

 perfectly in practice, and require no amendment, would be difficult under 

 the most favorable circumstances, and becomes almost impossible where 

 conflicting opinions are to be harmonized, and the definite requirements of 

 the act establishing the institution are to be observed. It is not intended 

 that the details of the organization, as given in the programme, should be 

 permanently adopted without careful trial; they are rather presented as 

 suggestions to be adopted provisionally, and to be carried into operation 

 gradually and cautiously, with such changes, from time to time, as expe- 

 rience may dictate. 



PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



[Presented to the Board of Regents December 8, 1847.] 

 INTRODUCTION. 



General considerations which should serve as a guide in adopting a plan of 



organization. 



1 . Will op Smithson. The property is bequeathed to the United States 

 of America, '' to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." 



2. The bequest is for the benefit of mankind. The government of the 

 United States is merely a trustee to carry out the design of the testator. 



3. The institution is not a national establishment, as is frequently sup- 

 posed, but the establishment of an individual, and is to bear and perpetuate 

 his name. 



4. The objects of the institution are — ^Ist, to increase, and 2d, to diffuse 

 knowledge among men. 



5. These two objects should not be confounded with one another. 

 The first is to increase the existing stock of knowledge by the addition of 

 new truths; and ihe second to disseminate knowledge, thus increased, 

 among men. 



6. The will makes no restriction in favor of any particular kind of 

 knowledge; hence all branches are entided to a share of attention. 



7. Knowledge can be increased by different methods of facilitating and 

 promoting the discovery of new truths, and can be most efficiently diffused 

 among men by means of the press. 



