894 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON's BEQUEST. 



course of his studies it should be his duty to consult and 

 examine. 



How admirably would such an institution as I propose, 

 meet the wants of the country in these respects ? 



But it is argued that the donation of Mr. Smithson is in- 

 sufficient for so extensive a plan. Grant it. But do we 

 depend alone upon this ? May we not look for and claim 

 the aid of the general government ? AVith the exception 

 of the academy at West Point, what has Congress done to 

 advance the cause of education ? Is it not time that some- 

 thing should be done, and especially at this time, when the 

 astounding developments are ringing in our ears, which the 

 results of the late census make known ? It would seem as 

 if the donation of Mr. Smithson had been providentially 

 made, to direct the deliberations of Congress to this too 

 long neglected subject. Five hundred thousand dollars will 

 make a good commencement, and, if Congress will follow 

 out the plan, a noble institution would be the result. 



Does any one doubt the power of Congress over the sub- 

 ject? Does not the cause of education come legitimatel}' 

 within the meaning of that clause of the Constitution which 

 gives to Congress the power of passing laws providing for 

 the general welfare ? What could more conduce to the pub- 

 lic good, or in a greater degree promote the general welfare 

 than a prudent and well regulated system of public instruc- 

 tion ? 



In one of the first messages of the Father of his Country 

 to Congress, he thus adverts to this important subject, — 

 showing that he viewed the cause of education as one which 

 it was the duty of Congress to foster and promote. " I have 

 heretofore proposed to the consideration of Congress, the 

 expediency of establishing a JSational Unlversitjj, and also a 

 Military Academy. The desirableness of both these insti- 

 tutions, has so constantly increased with every new view I 

 have taken of the subject, that I cannot omit the opportu- 

 nity of once for all recalling your attention to them. The 

 Assembly whom I address, is too much enlightened not to 

 be fully sensible how much a flourishing state of the arts 

 and sciences contributes to national prosperity and reputa- 

 tion. True it is, that our country contains many seminaries 

 of learning, highly respectable and useful, but the funds 

 upon which the}^ rest are too narrow to command the ablest 

 professors in the different branches of liberal knowledge. 

 Amongst the motives to such an institution, the assimilation 

 of the principles, opinions and manners of our countrymen, 

 by the common education of a portion of our youth from 



