10 



give informaiion on plans of libraries, and to assist the Secretary in editing 

 the pubhcations of the institution and in the other duties of his office. 



16, The Secretary and his assistants, during the session of Congress, 

 will be required to illustrate new discoveries in science, and to exhibit 

 new objects of art; also distinguished individuals should be invited to give 

 lectures on subjects of general interest. 



17. When the building is completed, and when, in accordance with the 

 act of Congress, the charge of the National Museum is given to the 

 Smithsonian Institution, other assistants will be required. 



Explanations and illustrations of the programme. 



Though the leading propositions of the programme have been fully dis- 

 cussed by the board, yet it will be important to ofler some remarks in ex- 

 planation and illustration of them in their present connexion. 



That the institution is not a national establishment, in the sense in which 

 institutions dependent on the government for support are so, must be evi- 

 dent when it is recollected that the money was not absolutely given to the 

 United States, but intrusted to it for a special object, namely: the estab- 

 lishment of an institution for the benefit of men, to bear the name of the 

 donor, and, consequently, to reflect upon his memory the honor of all the 

 good which may be accomplished by means of the bequest. The operations 

 ot the Smithsonian Institution ought, therefore, to be mingled as httle as 

 possible with those of the government, and its funds should be applied ex- 

 clusively and faithfully to the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men. 



That the bequest is intended for the benefit of men in general, and that 

 its influence ought not to be restricted to a single district, or even nation , 

 may be inferred not only from the words of the will, but also from the 

 character of Smithson himself; and I beg leave to quote, from a scrap of 

 paper in his own hand, the folloAving sentiment bearing on this point: 

 -' The man of science has no country; the world is his country — all men. 

 his countrymen." The origin of the funds, the bequest of a foreigner, 

 sliould also preclude the adoption of a plan which does not, in the word? 

 of Mr. Adams, " spread the benefits to be derived from the institution not 

 only over the whole surface of this Union, but throughout the civilized 

 world," '' Mr. Smithson's reason for fixing the seat of his institution at 

 Washington obviously was, that there is the seat of government of the 

 United States, and there the Congress by whose legislation, and the Ex- 



