170 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



"Washington be, and hereby are, authorized to prepare and report a plan of 

 an institution, to be called the Smithsonian Institution, to be founded on 

 the bequest of Mr. James Smithson, of London, and to report the same to 

 the Senate at the next session of Congress. 



Senate, March 1, 1839. 



The Senate proceeded to consider the motion submitted 

 yesterday by Mr. Robbins respecting a Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion ; and, on motion by Mr, Clay, of Alabama, ordered 

 that it lie on the table. 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF REPEESENTATIVES. 



House of Representatives, March 5, 1838. 

 On motion of Mr. Guilds, 



Resolved, That the President bo requested to communicate to this House 

 (if the same can bo done without prejudice to the public service) all the 

 documents and information in his possession relative to the prosecution of 

 the claim to the Smithsonian bequest ; also, what duty has been performed, 

 and remains to bo performed, by the agent employed at London, in refer- 

 ence to said claim, and how the money heretofore appropriated by Congress 

 has been applied. 



House of Representatives, June 28, 1838. 



Mr. Rencher, on leave, submitted the following resolu- 

 tion ; which was agreed to : 



Resolved, That the Committeo of Ways and Means inquire into the expe- 

 diency of authorizing a temporary investment of the Smithsonian legacy, 

 as soon as it shall be received by the President of the United States. 



House or Representatives, July 2, 1838. 



Mr. Cambreleng, from the Committee of Ways and 

 Means, reported the following bill : 



[H. Pv. No. 863.] 



A BILL to provide for the investment of money received under the will of 

 the late James Smithson, of London. 

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 

 States of America in Congress assembled, Tliat all money arising from the 

 bequest of the kite James Smithson, of London, for the purpose of found- 

 ing at Washington, in this District, an institution to be denominated tho 

 Smithsonian Institution, shall be paid into the Treasury, and invested by 

 the Secretary of the Treasury, with the approbation of tho President of tho 

 United States, in stock of the United States, to be created for that purpose, 

 bearing interest at the rate of six per centum per annum, payable annually; 

 that the certificates for said stock shall be issued by the Secretary of the 

 Treasury to the President, who shall hold the same in trust for the uses 

 specified in the last will and testament of said Smithson, until provision is 

 made by law for carrying the purpose of said bequest into effect ; and that 

 the annual interest accruing on the stock aforesaid shall bo in like manner 

 invested for the benefit of said institution. 



