4 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



M. D., of Indiana, a plan, drawings, and specifications of a build- 

 ing for said institution. 



Mr. Owen also presented a plan and drawings for the same from 

 Mr. Robert Mills, architect of the city of Washington. 



The following resolutions were adopted : 



Resolved, That the Chancellor and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and 

 the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents be, and they are hereby, authorized 

 and instructed to take such measures as may be deemed by them most proper to obtain 

 plans for the erection of buildings, fulfilling all the conditions in reference to them 

 contained in the law organizing this institution, and that said committee report such 

 plan as they may approve to this Board, at its next meeting ; and further, that said 

 committee specially report in regard to the best material for said buildings, and to the 

 best modes of warming, lighting, and ventilating the same, with estimates of the cost 

 when constructed of different materials ; and that they further report in regard to 

 such other matters as they may consider important in the premises. 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be offered to David Dale Owen, M. D., of 

 Indiana, for the plans of buildings for the Smithsonian Institution, presented on his 

 behalf; and that said plans, with the correspondence explanatory of the same, and 

 any other plans which may be presented to this Board, be referred to the committee 

 just named. 



Resolved, That the committee appointed to report at the next session are authorized 

 to purchase such works, per account of the Board, on architecture, bibliography, and 

 the like, as they may deem necessary to enable them to perform the duties of their 

 appointment ; to visit any structures and collections in tJiis country ; and also to avail 

 themselves of the suggestions of other skillful persons, and to offer therefor, if neces- 

 sary, such remuneration as the Regents may choose subsequently to make. 



Resolved, That the regular meetings of the Board of Regents shall be on the second 

 Wednesday of December and the third "Wednesday of February in each year ; and on 

 the first Wednesday of June in each alternate year, commencing with the first 

 Wednesday of June in the year 1848. 



Resolved, That Mr. Rush be a committee to ascertain, through the solicitors formerly 

 employed by him on behalf of the United States in the suit to obtain the Smithsonian 

 bequest, or otherwise, whether Madame De la Batut still survives ; and if not, what 

 steps are necessary to be taken to obtain the fund reverting to the United States at her 

 death ; beting a portion of the original property of James Smithson retained by the 

 English court of chancery, in order to furnish, in the shape of interest, an annuity to 

 thebaic! Madame De la Batut. And further, in case the said Madame De la Batut 

 survives, to adopt measures by which her decease may be communicated to the Board 

 whenever that event may occur. And that Mr. Rush report to the Executive Com- 

 mittee the legal charge thus incurred, which the said committee is hereby authorized 

 to pay. 



Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to contract for the printing, on good 

 paper and in neat pamphlet form, of two hundred and fifty copies of the original law 

 accepting the trust and of the law of last session organizing the institution, the pam- 

 phlet also to include the names and residences of the present Board of Regents ; and 

 that six copies be sent to each of the Regents and to each member of the Establish- 

 ment. 



Resolved, That the subject of the selection of a site be referred to the committee on 

 the buildings constituted at this meeting, to report at an adjourned meeting of this 

 Board. 



Resolved, That when this Board adjourn, it adjourn to meet at the Vice-President's 

 room, at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the last Monday of November 

 next, at 12 o'clock, at noon. 



Resolved, That Mr. Choate and Mr. Pennybackcr be added to the committee ap- 

 pointed yesterday to digest a plan to carry out the provisions of the act establishing 

 the Smithsonian Institution. 



Resolved, That the Secretary be requested, without unnecessary delay, to collect, on 

 behalf of the institution, all the documents, Congressional and others, connected with 

 the history of the Smithsonian bequest, and of its legislation, and cause them to be 

 substantially bound, as a commencement of its library. 



William Archer, Esq., architect, of the cit}' of Washington, pre- 



