302 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



of Massachusetts, in relation to the appropriation of the 

 Smithsonian bequest for the purposes of agricultural educa- 

 tion. 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE. 



Senate, December 12, 1844. 



Mr. Tappan introduced a bill, (S. 18,) which was read the 

 first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred 

 to the Committee on the Library. 



The bill is as follows : 



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

 fusion of knowledge among men. 



Whereas James Smithson, esquire, of London, 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, under the 

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

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

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

 may be executed iu 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 propert}^ 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 

 Treasurj', 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 

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

 as may have accrued on said sum on the first day of July next, which will 

 amount to the sum of two hundred and nine thousand one hundred and 

 three dollars, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for the erection of 

 suitable buildings, the enclosing of suitable grounds, and for the pur- 

 chase of books and instruments for the Smithsonian Institution established 

 by this act; and that six per cent, interest on the said trust fund, it being 

 the said amount of five hundred and eight thousand three hundred and 

 eighteen dollars, received into the United States Treasury, third of Decem- 

 ber, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, payable, in half yearly 

 payments, on the first of January and July in each year, be, and the same 

 is hereby, appropriated for the perpetual maintenance and support of said • 

 institution : Provided, That the books to be purchased for said institution 

 shall consist of works on science and the arts, especially such as relate to 

 the ordinary business of life, and to the various mechanical and other im- 

 provements and discoveries which may be made. 



Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the business of said institution 

 shall be conducted by a board of managers, to consist of twelve, no two of 

 whom shall be citizens of the same State or Territory ; that the persons first 

 appointed on the board of managers shall meet in the city of Washington, 

 on the first Monday of July next after the passage of this act, and, when 

 met, shall divide themselves, by lot, into three sections, one of which 

 shall serve two years, one four, and the other six years ; and whenever a 

 vacancy occurs in said board, the same shall be filled by such person as may 

 be appointed by a joint resolution of Congress; that all those who may be 

 appointed to fill vacancies occasioned by death, resignation, or removal out 

 of the United States, shall serve the residue of the term, and all who thofo 



