482 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



Patent Office, three hundred and fifty feet long, of its con- 

 tents. It must be at once seen that the Smithsonian build- 

 ing ought, if it is to accommodate these great and various 

 objects, to be of ample dimensions. This building, too, 

 was to be erected without delay. The site was to be selec- 

 ted '■'■forthwith," " and so soon " as thaj; was done, the Board 

 was to proceed with the erection of the building. 



The Board of Regents faithfully studied the will of Mr. 

 Smithson, and the law creating the establishment. 



Two things were to be accomplished. First, to increase 

 knowledge by original research; and then, second to diffuse 

 it by suitable and efficient agencies ; or in the language of 

 the venerable and distinguished gentleman from Massa- 

 chusetts, (Mr. Adams,) " to spread knowledge throughout 

 the world." 



The task devolved by Congress on the Regents was no 

 light one. They were called on to organize and set on foot 

 this establishment, so beneficent in its conception, so com- 

 prehensive in its design. The act of Congress prescribed 

 certain parts of the plan, and left the other parts to be de- 

 vised by the Board of Regents. That part of the plan which 

 was embraced in the act of Congress had almost exclusive 

 reference to the diflusion of knowledge. The means which 

 provide for the increase have been supplied by the Regents. 



We have been charged with being wildly extravagant — 

 laying out large sums in purchase of old books. A story 

 has been circulated that we paid $2,500 for an old and rare 

 copy of the Bible. Now, sir, no man loves the Bible more 

 than I do, but I could not have consented to an expenditure 

 of that sort. I dare say no one member of the Board ever 

 dreamed of such an expenditure. 



Again, some have charged us with being too utilitarian, 

 confining our operations to an improvement of the physical 

 condition of mankind. We have certainly endeavored, in 

 our plan of organization, to provide for the entire wants of 

 mankind, and to meet the spirit of the age. We have 

 brought into our service a gentleman who stands in the 

 front rank of the science of the country — I mean Professor 

 Henry, formerly of Princeton. His name is well known in 

 Europe, and is associated with that of Faraday, and Arago, 

 and Quetelet. I have before me the plan of organization 

 adopted for the operations of the institution, to which I de- 

 desire to call the attention of the House, but which, (as Mark 

 Antony said on a much more important occasion, about 

 the will of Csesar,) pardon me, I do not intend to read. I 



