752 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



the sum of $600,000, but in historical and scientific interest 

 they perhaps surpass anything that has been assembled in 

 any national museum on the globe. 



I shall, therefore, hope to receive favorable consideration 

 of the report of the Committee on Public Buildings and 

 Grounds at an early day if in the meantime we do not re- 

 ceive a bill from the House on the subject. 



Mr. Stevenson. I now move, Mr. President, that this 

 memorial be referred to the Committee on Public Buildings 

 and Grounds. Allow me to add a single word. I hope 

 that speedy action will be had by both the Senate and the 

 committee. I hope this building wiJl be put on the Smith- 

 sonian grounds. There is ample room on that square with 

 out the cost of additional ground. Professor Henry assures 

 me that with the erection of the contemplated building on 

 the plan of General Meigs, with the articles now on exhibi- 

 tion in the Smithsonian Institution, with those just donated, 

 we shall have the nucleus of a National Museum which in 

 a few years will equal an}' in the world. 



Mr. Sargent. Accompanying this memorial is a list of 

 the various articles contributed b}' different powers, by dif- 

 ferent exhibitors, and by States of the Union, and I think 

 that if Senators will take the pains to examine that list 

 they will find that articles, rare in their character, of great 

 interest in a scientific point of view and of intrinsic value, 

 have been given to the Government of the United States. 

 To properly display these objects will be to furnish educa- 

 tion of the most valuable character to all of our people (and 

 there are millions of them who come here) who visit this 

 capital. 



I wish to add my earnest desire that the committee will 

 promptly report a measure that will enable us to open this 

 great educational institution to the people of the United 

 States, to utilize this vast and valuable collection which 

 has been given to us, to show that we receive them from 

 these powers in good fiiith, and are disposed to show that 

 we properly appreciate the riches which they have placed 

 within our hands. 



I move that the list with the memorial be printed, and 

 that they both go to the Committee on Public Buildings 

 and Grounds. 



The motion was agreed to. 



February 14, 1877. — Mr. Morrill, from the Committee 

 on Public Buildings and Grounds, reported a bill (S. No. 

 1252) for the erection of a fire-proof building for the Na- 

 tional Museum ; which was read by its title. 



