674 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



have made a motion to refer it to the Committee on the 

 Library. 



The Vice President. It is referred. 



Mr. Dixon. I feel that I ought to say one word, if the 

 Senate will allow me, though not strictly in order, in reply 

 to the remark of the Senator from Maine, that he had never 

 heard of Mr. Barnard. It is unfortunate undoubtedly, and 

 may seem to be a reflection on Mr. Barnard. He is known 

 everywhere throughout the whole country and in Europe 

 for his exertions in the cause of popular education. 1 would 

 not have said a word but for that remark, which might im- 

 ply some disrespect on the part of the Senator to Mr. 

 Barnard, which I hope, however, was not the case. 



Mr. Fessenden. I meant none in the world. I meant 

 simply to say that it so happened, unfortunately for myself, 

 that I never heard of Mr. Barnard, and I would rather the 

 matter should be referred. 



Mr. Dixon. I supposed it to be so, yet felt that I ought 

 to say so much in justice to a gentleman so widely and 

 favorably known. 



March 28, 1862. — Mr. Collamer, from the Committee on 

 the Library, reported unanimously in favor of the passage 

 of the House resolution, for the appointment of T. D. 

 Woolsey, regent ; adopted. 



April 1, 1862. — Mr. Dixon. Yesterday, I think, during 

 my absence from my seat, or when my attention was not 

 directed to it, the Senator from Vermont [Mr. Collamer] 

 called up a joint resolution appointing President Woolsey, 

 of Yale College, a regent of the Smithsonian Institution. 

 I had previously offered a resolution for the appointment of 

 Mr. Barnard, of Connecticut. Mr. Barnard has requested 

 me to withdraw his name. I ought to have done it, and 

 should have done it yesterday in justice to him, if I had' 

 been present when that joint resolution was passed. I ask 

 the consent of the Senate to allow the reading of a letter 

 from Mr. Barnard, in which he requests that his name may 

 be withdrawn, and Mr. Woolsey be appointed. 



The President pro tempore. JSTo objection being made, 

 the letter will be read at the request of the Senator from 

 Connecticut. 



The Secretary read it, as follows : 



Washington-, March 27, 1862. 



My Dear Sir : I thank you for the kind manner in which you was 



pleased to present my name to the Senate in nomination for the post of Ke- 



gent of the Smithsonian Institution. I see hy the papers that the name 



of President Woolsey, of Yale College, has been presented to the House 



