XX PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS. 



KEI'OKT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEK ON THE DISPOSITION OK THE REAIAINS 



OK JAMES SAIITHSON. 



Tlic Cliancelloi- staled that at the meeting of the Board of Kegents 

 hehl Jannarv '27, 11)04, the folloAving resolution was adopted: 



Rcfiolvcd, Tliat the Cliaii<'(>lli)r and the Secretary, with the members (tf the 

 executive committee, be aiiiH)iiite(l a c(mimittee u\Hm the ciuestion of the tinal 

 disposition of the remains of James Smithson and of tlie moninuciit to lie (>rect(>il 

 to liim. witli po\Aer to act in the entire matter. 



The committee provided by the above resohition met on March 4, 

 1904, and after discussion adopted the foHowing resohition: 



Resolvech That a fitting tomb sliould be erected on the grounds of tlie Smith- 

 sonian Institution as a final resting place for the body of James Smithson, and 

 that after consideration of the character and cost of such tomb Congress be 

 requested to make an adequate appropriation for it. 



NATIONAL (iALLERV or ART. 



The Secretary then brought before the Board the matter of tlie will 

 of the late Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston, who left a number of paint- 

 ings to the Corcoran Gallery of Art until a national gallery of art 

 had been established by the Government. The Corcoran gallery had 

 declined the pictures under these conditions, and Mr. Corcoran Tliom 

 had communicated with the Secretary with regard to the probability 

 of the Government establishing such a national gallery of art inider 

 the Institution. After discussion, on motion of Senator Cullom, the 

 matter was referred to the executive committee. 



The Board then adjourned. 



APPENDIX TO PROCEEDINGS OF REGENTS. 



REPORT OE COMMITTEE ON THE TRANSEER OF THE REMAINS OF JAMES 

 SMITHSON TO THE UNITED STATES. 



To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Gentlemen : As the committee charged with the duty of bringing 

 to the United States the mortal remains of James Smithson, the 

 founder of the Smithsonian Institution, I beg to report the successful 

 accomplishment of my mission: and the remains wei-e lianded over 

 to (he Smithsonian Institution hist Monday, the 2tA\\ of January, 

 11)04. 



I readied Genoa, Italy, on the 2r)th of December, 1003, and next 

 day presented my credentials to the American consul, Mr. William 

 Henry Bishop, and to Mr. Noel Lees, for the committee of the 

 British Burial Ground Fund Association. 



On the 20th of December I made formal api)lication for the 

 remains of James Smithson, and on the Hist of December they were 

 delivered into my custody. In accordance with the expressed wish 



