5 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



On motion of Mr. Breese — 



Ordered, That when the Board adjourn it will adjourn to meet at 12 o'clock to- 

 morrow. 



On motion of Mr. Breese, the Board adjourned until to-morrow 

 at 12 o'clock, meridian. 



December 1, 1846. 

 Mr. Evans, one of the Regents, appeared. 



The Chancellor laid before the Regents the following letter from 

 Chief Justice Taney, a Regent of the institution : 



» Baltimore, November 28, 1846. 



Dear Sir : I regret that it will not be in my power to attend the meeting of the 

 Begents of the Smithsonian Institution on Monday next. The circuit court for the 

 district of Maryland has been in session since the beginning of this month, and must 

 continue in session all of next w'jek, in order to dispose of the business before it. Be 

 good enough to mention to the Board the cause of my absence, and believe me to be, 

 with great respect, your obedient servant, 



E. B. TANEY. 

 George M. Dallas, 



Vice-President of the United States, Washington. 



Mr. Owen presented a letter from J. Ren wick, Jr., of Xew York, 

 describing and commenting upon the materials used in building in 

 the city of New York, which was read and placed upon file. 



Mr. Breese presented sundry letters and recommendations relative 

 to applications for office, agencies for the purchase of books, &c, 

 which were placed on file for future consideration. 



Mr. Rush, from the committee appointed to ascertain whether 

 Madame de la Batut still survives, and if not, what steps are neces- 

 sary to obtain the remainder of the Smithsonian fund reverting to 

 the United States at her death, and if she is still living, what steps 

 are necessary to obtain the fund at her death, made a report thereon 

 in part, stating that he had written to Messrs. Clarke, Fynmore, 

 and Fladgate, solicitors, residing in London, making the proper in- 

 quiries, but had yet received no answer. 



A copy of his letter was then submitted, read, and put on file. 



Mr. Owen, from the Committee on the Organization of the insti- 

 tution, made a report, accompanied by a series of resolutions, which 

 were read. • 



On motion of Mr. Owen, the consideration of the resolutions was 

 postponed until to-morrow. 



The Board proceeded to the consideration of the resolution pend- 

 ing yesterday when the Board adjourned. 



