970 LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION, 



sufficient warrant for the prudence and good judgment which will watch 

 over the general interests of the foundation ; while the reputation of the 

 Secretary and his assistant, the Librarian, is so well established in their re- 

 spective departments, as to render any tribute from the committee entirely 

 superfluous. 



All which is respectfully submitted by the committee. 



Edward Everett, {Chairman.) 



Jared Sparks. 



Benjamin Peirce. 



Henry W. Longfellow. 



Asa Gray. 

 December 4th, 1847. 



Note. — Professor Agassiz was named of the committee, but, owing to 

 his absence at the South, was unable to take part in the preparation of this 

 report. 



From the New Jersey Historical Society. 



Newark, K J., November 24, 1848. 

 This Society having ah-eady considered the programme 

 of the Smithsonian Institution and adopted the report of a 

 special committee, approving of its provisions (which re- 

 port has been transmitted to the Regents,) I have now onl}^ 

 to state, that in no instance, so far as I can learn, has an ex- 

 amination of the document failed to secure for it the same 

 measure of commendation. 



"W. A. Whitehead, 



Corresponding Secretary. 



The following is the report referred to : 



The Committee to whom was referred the Programme of organization of 

 the Smithsonian Institution report, that having in common with the other 

 members of the Historical Society listened with gratification and conviction 

 to the exposition by Dr. Henry, of the nature and objects of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, and of the means whereby those objects might most 

 surely be attained, they turned their attention to a consideration of the 

 Programme referred to them. 



And they unhesitatingly report, as the result of their considerations, their 

 unanimous opinion, that in the general considerations set forth in the Pro- 

 gramme, as guides in adopting the proper plan of organization, the designs 

 of the liberal founder of the Institution are justly appreciated, and the 

 means of accomplishing those designs are set forth with great discrimina- 

 tion. 



The fund is a trust fund for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men ; the Institution created by this fund is not a national estab- 

 lishment, much less an establishment for promoting local improvements of 

 any sort. Its aim is to " increase knowledge " by the discovery of new 

 truths, and to " diffuse " this increased knowledge by suitable publications. 

 Its field is not Washington, nor even the United States, but all mankind. 



Hence it would seem obviously to result, that all the funds so far as now 

 can be done under the act of Congress incorporating the Institution, should 

 be sacredly appropriated in such manner as to fulfill the views above indi- 

 cated. 



