DIGEST OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS ESTABLISH- 

 ING THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



Approved August 10, 1846. 



By Professor Joseph Henry. 



I. The Establishment or Smithsonian Institution Propee. 



1. The following persons shall constitute an establishment: 



2. Known by the name of the Smithsonian Institution. 



8. For the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, viz : 



4. The President of the 17. S. Secretary of the Navy, 

 Vice President. Postmaster General, 

 Secretary of State, Chief Justice, 

 Secretary of the Treasury, Commissioner of Patents, 



Mayor of "Washington. 



5. And such other persons as may be elected by them honorary members, 



II. Meetings of the Establishment. 



1. The members and honorary members of said Institution may hold 



stated and special meetings. 



2. At these meetings the President, and in his absence, the Vice Presi- 



dent of the United States, shall preside. — Sec. 8th. 



3. The Secretary of the Board of Eegents is also Secretary of the Insti- 



tution. — Sec. M. 



4. Meetings to be called in manner provided for in by-laws of said Insti- 



tution. — Sec. 8th. 



III. Objects of the Meetings of the Institution 



1. Supervision of the affairs of thfc Institution. 



2. Advice and instruction of Board of Eegents. 



3. Election of honorary members. 



4. Enactment of by-laws for government of said Institution. — Sec. 8tK 



IV. Funds of the Institution. 



1. The property of James Smithson received into the Treasury on the 1st 



September, 1838, is declared a loan to the United States at six per 

 cent, per annum from the above date. — Sees. 2d and bth. 



2. The interest which accrued up to the 1st of July, 184G, or so much 



thereof as the Eegents may deem necessary, together witli the sur- 

 plus interest of any year, is appropriated to the erection of a build- 

 ing, and to other current incideiital expenses. — Sees. 2d andAth. 



3. The interest on original fund perpetually applied to maintenance of 



the Institution. — Sec. 2d. 



4. Principal not to be touched. Accruing and accrued interest to be ex- 



pencled for objects of Institution. — Sees. 2d and 9th. 



5. Interest payable half-yearly, on 1st January and 1st July, in each 



year. — Sec. 2d. 



6. Amount of Smithson's property received into the Treas- 



ury on September 1st, 1838, $515,109 00 



7. Interest on the same to July 1st, 1846, . . . 242,129 OO 



8. Half-yearly interest.— &c. 2d 15,455 07 



758 



