974 LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



From William Sparrow, 



" Theological Seminary," 

 Fairfax Co., Va., December 1, 1848. 

 In regard to the " Programme of Organization " I shall 

 not presume to offer any suggestions ; I only venture to 

 express the hope that under the head of the " moral and 

 political " class of subjects, the particular branches of moral 

 and mental philosophy will receive a due share of cultiva- 

 tion, and I say this, only because of the extreme difficulty 

 which manifestly accompanies your labors in that depart- 

 ment above all others, and not because of indifference 

 towards any form of knowledge which concerns mankind. 



From M. F. Maury. 



Natioi^al Observatory, 

 Washington, December 2, 1848. 



The law establishing the Smithsonian Institution is in 

 my judgment not entirely free from objection. But taking 

 the law as it is, it appears to me that the programme of the 

 Institution is not only admirable, but the best that under 

 the circumstances of the case could have been devised. 



The programme appears to me to embrace all subjects, 

 and to include the results of all researches, which tend to 

 the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. I see 

 no room for improvement and therefore have no suggestions 

 to make with regard to it. 



It will afford me pleasure at all times, and on all occa- 

 sions, to co-operate with the Smithsonian Institution in the 

 pursuit of those departments of knowledge appropriate to 

 the Observatory ; and I hope therefore you will do me the 

 favor to call freely on the Observatory in all matters when- 

 ever its co-operation may subserve the great interests of 

 science and therefore of the world. 



From Aug. W. Smith. 



Wesleyan University, 

 Middletown, Ct., December 2, 1848. 

 I had previously received a copy of the " Programme of 

 Organization of the Smithsonian Institution," and exam- 

 ined it with some care. I have again carefully re-perused 

 and considered the details as therein presented with your 

 " explanations and illustrations." 



