PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 15 



these publiccations to the learned societies in Europe, and receiving in 

 return the fruits of similar researches made hy them, gives to each the 

 benefit of the ^increase of knowledge' wliich either may obtain, and 

 at the same time diffuses it throughout the civilized world. The 

 library thus formed will contain books suitable to the present state of 

 scientific knowledge, and will keep pace with its advance ; and it is 

 certainly far superior to a vast collection of expensive works, most of 

 which may be found in any public library, and many of which are mere 

 objects of curiosity or amusement, and seldom, if ever, opened by any 

 one engaged in the pursuits of science, 



" These operations appear to have been carried out by the Eegents, 

 under the immediate superintendence of Professor Henry, with zeal, 

 energy, and discretion, and with the strictest regard to economy in 

 the expenditure of the funds. Kor does there seem to be any other 

 mode which Congress could prescribe or the Regents adopt which 

 would better fulfil the high trust which the United States have under- 

 taken to perform. No fixed and immutable plan prescribed by law 

 or adopted by the Regents would attain the objects of the trust. It 

 was evidently the intention of the donor that it should be carried into 

 execution by an institution or establishment, as it is termed in his 

 will. Congress has created one, and given it ample powers, but di- 

 recting its attention particularly to the objects enumerated in the 

 law ; and it is the duty of that Institution to avail itself of the lights 

 of experience, and to change its plan of operations when they are con- 

 vinced that a different one will better accomplish the objects of the 

 trust. The Regents have done so, and wisely, for the reasons above 

 slated. The committee see nothing, therefore, in their conduct which 

 calls for any new legislation or any change in the powers now exer- 

 cised by the Regents. 



''For many of the views and statements in the foregoing report the 

 committee are indebted to the full and luminous reports of the Board 

 of Regents. From the views entertained by the committee, after an 

 impartial examination of the proceedings referred to, the committee 

 have adopted the language of the resolution, ' that no action of the 

 Senate is necessary and proper in regard to the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion ; muJj this is the unanimoiis opinion of the committee. ' ' ' 



