842 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON S BEQUEST. 



never be conferred either in course, or causa honoris, unless 

 by the recommendation of the faculty. 



I have thus very briefly, but as far as my avocations would 

 allow, thrown together a few hints upon the subject to which 

 you have directed my attention. That I should go into de- 

 tail, I presume, was not expected. Whatever may be the 

 plan adopted, I presume it will not be carried into etfect 

 until an extensive observation of the best univ-ersities iu 

 Europe has furnished the Government with all the knowl- 

 ed2:e which the present condition of the science of education 

 can alford. 



I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your obedient 

 servant, 



F. Wayland, 



Hon. J. Forsyth, Sea-etary of State. 



Letter from John Qidncy Adams. 



QuiNCY, October 8, 1838. 



Sir: I duly received your letter, dated in July last, ex- 

 pressing the desire of the President of the United States to 

 consult the views of persons versed in science and in matters 

 relating to public education, as to the modes of applying 

 the proceeds of the Smithsonian bequest, to meet the wishes 

 of the testator, and v/hich may prove most advantageous to 

 mankind, with a view to present to Congress the subject, 

 for their consideration and action upon it. 



Having been the chairman of the committee of the House 

 of Representatives, and reporter of the bill which became 

 the act of July 1, 1836, relating to this bequest, in which 

 act the fiiitli of the United States is pledged for the appli- 

 cation of the funds, placed by the founder of this Institu- 

 tion at their disposal, to the promotion of the great object 

 of his munificence, the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men, — I have waited with anxious expectation the 

 consummation of the first requisite for the accomplishment 

 of the purpose, — the recovery of the fund itself, aware that, 

 until that should be effected, all speculation upon the most 

 suitable appropriation of the proceeds would be premature. 

 It is with the warmest satisfaction that I have learned the 

 successful attainment of this preliminary end. 



When, at the last session of Congress, provision was 

 made, by the sixth section of an act making appropriations 

 for the West Point Academy, for the temporary investment 



