[ 120 ] 56 



That the treasurer report to the Secretary, monthly, all payments made 

 by him during the preceding month: 



That all the monthly accounts be examined and ceriified by the Execu- 

 tive Committee quarterly. 



That the acc^ount-books be kept in the Smithsonian building, so that 

 the Secretary and Executive Conmiittee may have ready access to them. 



The Secretaiy then nominated Mr. Seaton as a suitable person to per- 

 form the duties of treasurer, and the nomination was unanimously con- 

 iirmed by the board. 



The Secretary stated to the board that Mr. Seaton would accept the office 

 of treasurer, but would not consent to receive any compensation for his 

 services. 



The following resolution, offered by Mr. Mason, was unanimously 

 adopted: 



Hesolved, That the thanks of the board be, and they are hereby, tendered 

 to the Hon. W. W. Seaton, late mayor of the city of Washington and ex- 

 olficio Regent of the Smithsonian Institution, tor his able and valuable 

 services as a member of the board, now terminated by the expiration of 

 his term of office as mayor of Washington. 



On motion, tlie board adjourned, to meet on Friday morning, 5th instant,, 

 at 9a, m. 



July 5, 1850. 



The Board of Regents held a meeting this day, at 9 a. m,, in the east 

 wing of the Smithsonian building. 



Present: Messrs. Fillmore, Colcock, Davis, Fitch, and Lenox. 



The Secretary stated that vacancies in two committees of the board were 

 occasioned by the retirement of Mr. Seaton; whereupon, on motion of Mr. 

 Fitch, it was 



Resolved, That General Totten be appointed a member of the Executive 

 Committee. 



Also, on motion of Mr. Davis, it was 



Resolved, That Mr, Lenox be appointed a member of the Baildingr 

 Committee, 



The Secretary stated that, in order to the development of the plans of 

 the institution, it v\^as necessary that additional assistants should be ap- 

 pointed. With the officers nowengaged, little more could be done than to 

 attend to the general correspondence, wliich now extends to every part of 

 the world, and tire details of business, which have been continually 

 increasing. The labor of reading manuscripts and attending to the press, 

 would almost occupy the time of one individual. He therefore requested 

 that he be allowed to appoint an assistant secretary in the department of 

 natural history, to take charge of the museum and aid in the publica- 

 tions, tfec. 



On motion of Mr Davis, it was 



Resolved, That tlie Secretary be authorized to appoint an assistant sec- 

 retary in the department of natural history, to take charge of the museum,, 

 and to render such other assistance as the Secretary may require, at a 

 salary of fitteen hundred dollars per annum. 



The Secretary thereupon appointed Professor Spencer F, Baird 

 the foregoing resolution; and, on motion, the board approved *' 

 ment. 



