262 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



the Smithsonian fund, or such portion of it as in the opinion 

 of Congress can be most usefully and properly expended in 

 that manner. 



Henry Ellsworth. 



Elisha Whittlesey. 



J. S. Skinner. 



Jno. a. Smith. 



Alexander Hunter. 

 "Washington, Deeemhei\ 1841. 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE. 



Senate, December 5, 1843. 

 Message of the President, John Tyler. 



* * In connection with its other interests as well as 

 those of the whole country, I recommend that at your pres- 

 ent session you adopt such measures, in order to carry into 

 effect the Smithsonian bequest, as in your judgment will be 

 the best calculated to consummate the liberal intent of the 

 testator. * * 



Senate, December 15, 1843. 



On motion of Mr. Choate, the above message was re- 

 ferred to the Committee on the Library. — Mr. Choate, Mr. 

 Tappan, and Mr. Berrien. 



Senate, June 6, 1844. 



Mr. Tappan from the Committee on the Library reported 

 the following bill, (S. 188,) which was read and passed to 

 a second reading : 



A BILL to establish the Smithsonian Institution, for the increase and dif- 

 fusion of knowledge among men. 



Whereas James Smithson, e.squire, of Loudon, in the kingdom of Great 

 Britain, by his last will and testament did give the whole of his property 

 to the United States of America, to found at "Washington, undei- the 

 name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and 

 diffusion of knowledge among men ; and whereas Congress have hereto- 

 fore received said property and accepted said trust ; therefore, that the same 

 may be executed in good faith, and according to the will of the liberal and 

 enlightened donor — 



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

 States of America in Congress assembled, That so much of the profierty of 

 the said James Smithson as has been received in money and paid into the 

 Treasury of the United States, being the sum of five hundred and eight 

 thousand three hundred and eighteen dollars, be loaned to the United States 

 Treasury, at six per cent, per annum interest, from the third day of Decem- 

 ber, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, when the 

 «ame was received into the said Treasury ; and that so much of the interest 



