[ 120 ] 46 



This proposition was, on motion of Mr. Davis, referred to the Secretary 

 and Executive Committee. 



Mr. Rush presented a letter from Harrison Hall relative to the purchase 

 of books; which was laid on the table. 



The Secretary stated that he had received a note from the Hon. Abbott 

 Lawrence, United States ambassador to Great Britain, concerning a 

 communication from H. P. Bohn, offering for sale, at the price of thirty 

 guineas, a small portrait of James Smithson, now in the possession of Mrs. 

 Fitall, widow of a servant of the late Mr. Smithson. 



This communication having been read, 

 On motion of Mr. Mason, it was 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to purchase the portrait of 

 the late Mr. Smithson, spoken of by Mr. Lawrence in his letter of 10th of 

 December, 1849. 



On motion of Mr. Davis, the board adjourned, to meet on Saturday, the 

 18lh instant, at 11 o'clock a. m. 



Saturday, January 18, 1850. 



Several of the Regents met tins day, agreeably to adjournment. A 

 quorum not being present, the meeting adjourned to the 22d instant. 



Tuesday, January 22, 1850. 



The Board of Regents met, agreeably to adjournment, at half past 6 

 o'clock p. m., in the Smithsonian building. 



Present: Messrs. Fillmore, Colcock, Davis, Fitch, Hilliard, and Pearce. 



The Chancellor called the meeting to order, and the proceedings of the 

 last meeting were read and approved. 



The first business in order being Professor Jewett's report on the Libra- 

 ry, the same was presented by the Secretary, and ordered to be read: it 

 was accordingly read, and ordered to be printed. 



A letter was presented by the Secretary, from Rev. N. Paddock, re- 

 questing the co-operation of the Smithsonian Institution with an Educa- 

 tional Institution proposed to be established in the city of Washington — 

 together with the proposed answer of the Secretary: in which answer the 

 board concurred. 



A list of Chinese books for sale, and an accompanying letter from the 

 Hon. Caleb Cushing, were laid before the board, read, and referred to the 

 Secretary . 



The proposition of Mr. Harmon, of Ohio, relative to architecture, was 

 called up: no action, however, was taken upon it, and the board adjourned, 

 to meet on Saturday, 26th instant, at 10 o'clock a. m. 



Saturday, January^^S, 1850. 



The Board of Regents met this day at 11 o'clock, agreeably to adjourn- 

 ment. 



Present: Messrs. Fillmore, Davis, Hiliiard, Mason, and Pearce. 



.The Chancellor took the chair, and the proceedings of the last meeting 

 were read. 

 ^ The Secretary' called the attention of the board to the astronomical ex 



