850 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON S BEQUEST. 



possible in its objects and means, as it must necessarily be 

 national in its government. In turning my thoughts to the 

 subject, it is, therefore, only upon a basis the most compre- 

 hensive, under all views, that I can think of any general 

 plan for its organization. Hence it appears to me : 



1. That even officers of the United States, abroad and at 

 home, might be made subservient to some of the main ob- 

 jects of the institution — as their consuls, naval and military 

 officers ; and, I would add, their foreign ministers. 



Consuls, by their residence in foreign ports, have oppor- 

 tunities of becoming acquainted with the natural history 

 and productions of the places where they reside, and learn- 

 ing other things useful to be known. This class of officers 

 had instructions, at a former period of the Government, to 

 send home seeds, plants, and other productions, beneficial 

 to agriculture, manufactures, or any of the useful arts. But 

 their efforts were frustrated or impeded for want of a fund 

 to defray incidental expenses, which, however small, con- 

 stitutional scruples existed against providing. The Smith- 

 sonian fund might supply the means of renewing such 

 instructions, giving to them more scope as well as efficacy. 



Our naval officers, those especially in separate commands 

 on foreign stations, must have opportunities of gaining 

 knowledge in other spheres than those to be filled by their 

 usual reports to the Navy Department ; and the same may 

 be said o^ officers of the army, in regard to the War De- 

 partment. Many of the latter, by their stations at garrisons, 

 or employment otherwise in remote and unexplored parts 

 of our country, have the means, as past instances testify, of 

 collecting facts bearing upon its geology, its natural history 

 in all branches, its antiquities, and the character of its abo- 

 riginal races ; the communication of which might advanta- 

 geously fall in with the purposes of this institution, and be 

 ultimately promulgated through its instrumentality. 



I propose to include, also, ministers plenipotentiary among 

 the functionaries who might serve the institution, and, 

 through it, the general public, on this occasion. By their 

 power of commanding the best intercourse in the several 

 communities to which they are sent, they may open to 

 themselves avenues to knowledge of all kinds ; the trans- 

 mission of which to the institution, under executive instruc- 

 tions to that effect, might often prove of high value. It 

 would not be expected "from them but at convenient inter- 

 vals, and never when interfering with their primary duties. 

 When an appropriate channel was opened for receiving 

 communications of this nature, they would become, it may 



