TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS, 1845-47. 389 



was provided for in the bill wMch passed the Senate two 

 years ago was not desirable ; and said that the necessary 

 buildings to contain the greatest library in the world would, 

 in its own erection, exhaust the entire sum. This Capitol 

 itself would not be sufficient to contain eight hundred 

 thousand volumes, which would be the largest library in the 

 world, so properly arranged as to be accessible. A library 

 was not the object of Mr. Smithson ; but that it should 

 cover general ground, in which all objects of science (if 

 possible) should be included, and amongthe rest, he agreed 

 with the bill in the propriety of appropriating a part of the 

 annual fund to the preparation of instructors, to be sent out 

 throughout the whole country. He would also appropriate 

 a part of the fund to the defraying the expenses of the 

 delivery of annual lectures by our most distinguished men, 

 at different points throughout the country for scientific in- 

 struction, 



Mr. Ingersoll gave some other general views, approving 

 decidedly the object of the institution, and warmly urging 

 the bounden duty of Congress to apply it according to the 

 intentions of Mr. Smithson, and to discharge the obliga- 

 tions imposed upon it by the acceptance of this trust. 



Mr. G. W. Jones modified his amendment by inserting 

 after the words " next of kin," the words " or residuary 

 legatee." 



Mr. Stanton next addressed the committee, as follows : 



Mr. Chairman : It has been a matter of very general 

 complaint, that there has been great delay in performing 

 the trust imposed upon this Government by its acceptance 

 of the Smithsonian bequest. Whether this complaint be 

 well or ill founded, all will agree that the time has now 

 arrived for decisive action, and that the honor and good 

 faith of the Government require a speedy application of the 

 fund to its destined purpose. 



Very nearly eight years have elapsed since the magnifi- 

 cent sum of half a million of dollars, sanctified by the will 

 of James Smithson to the humane purpose " of increasing 

 and diffusing knowledge among men," has been received 

 into the Treasury of the United States. 



But if this delay is to be regretted on some accounts, at 

 least one great advantage has accrued : the interest of the 

 fund has accumulated to such an amount that every neces- 

 sary building for the complete accommodation of a most 

 extensive institution may be immediately constructed with- 

 out any diminution of the original sum. That will remain 

 untouched, the fruitful source of perpetual supply and sup- 



