906 PROPOSED APPLICATIONS OF SMITHSON's BEQUEST. 



History, illustrating as well the geological structure of our 

 planet as the character of the materials which form its crust, 

 and of the organized beings which inhabit its surface. 



It should be made the duty — as I am sure it would be the 

 pleasure and the pride — of every officer in the naval and 

 military service, to embrace all opportunities for adding to 

 the riches of this national treasury of knowledge. The 

 revenues from these sources would soon exceed any estimate 

 which could now be made, while the cost of collection would 

 be altogether nominal ; and although, as politicians, we may 

 quarrel and contend about '•^Jiscalities" and ^^sub-treasuries," 

 I am contident that, as lovers of nature and true national 

 glory, we should cordially unite in making every officer and 

 public agent a sub-treasurer for the generous purposes of this 

 institution. The collections already made and forwarded 

 to Washington by the glorious expedition now exploring 

 the southern hemisphere will form an appropriate nucleus 

 or foundation for the establishment, and the expected addi- 

 tions from the same source will no doubt greatly enhance 

 its value. With these r\(ph materials — the fruits of an enter- 

 prise which will reflect honor upon our Government to the 

 latest generation — we 'may safely commence the institution 

 bequeathed to us " for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." 



To the means thus briefly indicated for promoting a 

 knowledge of those natural, productions which have been 

 placed at our disposal by a beneficent Creator I would have 

 annexed, as already mentioned, a department for the collec- 

 tion and exhibition of all the useful implements and ma- 

 chinery which have been contrived by art for aiding the 

 operations and improving the condition of the human race; 

 and this desirable appendage, as every one knows, is, to a 

 great extent, already prepared to our hands in the admira- 

 ble establishment for the preservation of models, which are 

 required to be deposited on the issue of letters-patent for new 

 inventions. This department might be conveniently and 

 most appropriately made a branch of the proposed institu- 

 tion. 



With these combined advantages, and the requisite addi- 

 tions being supplied as opportunity ofiered, we should soon 

 possess the means of acquiring a competent knowledge of 

 all that exists in nature or has been produced by art, and 

 thatl should call a ^ewi^f/ze ''establishment for the increase 

 and diflusion of knowledge among men." While our local 

 seminaries would be appropriately engaged in imparting 

 languages, rules, and other instruments of mental culture, 



