REPORT OF THE SECRETARY FOR 1859, 



To the Board of Regents: 



Gentlemen: I have the honor again to present to you the history 

 of the transactions of the Smithsonian Institution for another year, 

 and I am happy to be able, at the beginning of my report, to state 

 that nothing has occurred since your last session to interfere with the 

 successful prosecution of the several objects embraced in the plan of 

 organization. 



The funds of the establishment are still in a good condition: the 

 original bequest of Smithson remains in the treasury of the United 

 States; the extra fund which was saved from the annual income, is 

 still invested in State stocks, which have since the last meeting of the 

 Board considerably increased in marketable value, and could now be 

 sold for more than was paid for them. The accumulation of half a 

 year's income in the treasury at the beginning of last year has enabled 

 us to pay in cash for all the materials purchased and labor performed 

 on account of the Institution, and has thus not only been the means of 

 a saving by reduction in the cost of the operations, but also of pre- 

 venting the embarrassment and anxiety which has sometimes been felt 

 on account of outstanding debts, besides enabling us more readily to 

 adapt the expenditures to the several items of appropriation. 



The Institution, during the past year, by its publications, exchanges, 

 researches, &c, has sustained the reputation it had previously ac- 

 quired, and has continued gradually to extend the sphere of its 

 influence and usefulness. By its persevering efforts to carry out the 

 will of the founder, it has succeeded in rendering familiar to the public 

 mind in the United States the three fundamental distinctions in regard 

 to knowledge, which must have an important bearing on the future 

 advance of science in this country: namely, the increase of knowledge, 

 the diffusion of knowledge, and the practical application of knowledge 

 to useful purposes in the arts. 



It is of the highest importance to the well-being of our race that each 

 of these distinctions should be recognized, and that each of the pro- 

 cesses to which they relate should receive encouragement and support. 



