14 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



interest accruing to the institution, be appropriated for the purchase of philosophical 

 and chemical apparatus, models, &c; the said appropriation to commence on the first 

 day of January next. 



The following resolution was then read and agreed to, viz : 



[No. 7.] Resolved, That it is expedient to include ultimately in the plan of the in- 

 stitution popular lectures on useful subjects — as on agriculture and its latest improve- 

 ments ; on the productive arts of life ; on the sciences, and the aid they bring to labor ; 

 on common school instruction, including the proper construction of school rooms, the 

 most improved apparatus for teaching, and the most judicious management, moral and 

 intellectual, of children in common schools ; also, if suitable lecturers be found, on 

 history, natural and civil, including the physical history of the various races of men, 

 and the gradual advance of each to its present state of civilization ; on political econ- 

 omy, in its practical connection with the every-day business of life ; and generally on 

 any department of useful knowledge not strictly professional. 



The following resolutions, Nos. 8, 9, 10, and 14, were read ; and 

 upon suggestions that it was desirable that the Secretary elect 

 should be consulted before their adoption, they were postponed 

 until the next meeting of the Board of Regents. 



[No. 8.] Resolved, further, That if the funds of the institution permit, it is desira- 

 ble that such lectures should be delivered not only at Washington, but gradually and 

 successively at different points in all the States in the Union, either by permanent 

 professors or temporary lecturers, engaged on behalf of the institution. 



[No. 9.] Resolved, That, if the funds of the institution permit, there may be prop- 

 erly included in the plan the publication, periodically or otherwise, of popular tracts 

 on the above subjects. 



[No. 10.] Resolved, That, as one of the most effectual means of increasing knowl- 

 edge among men, it shall be made a part of the duty of one or more of the officers 

 who may be engaged by the institution to institute original researches in the branch 

 of science to which he may be devoted ; and that it shall be the duty of the Secretary, 

 when such researches eventuate successfully, to communicate the results to other sci- 

 entific societies throughout the world ; and to invite, in return, communications of a 

 similar character from them. 



[No. 14.] Resolved, That, in case of the organization of a board of professors, the 

 said Secretary shall be ex officio president of the said board of professors, with the 

 usual rights and powers of the president of a faculty ; and, as president of said boa'rd, 

 it shall be his privilege, when thereto authorized by said board, to make, on their be- 

 half, any statement or representation to the Board of Kegents, either written or ver- 

 bal ; and if any debate or discussion arise thereupon in the Board of Begents, ho shall 

 have the right to join therein ; but in all cases without a vote in said Board of Be- 

 gents. 



The Board proceeded to the consideration of the resolutions re- 

 ported yesterday by Mr. Choate, from the committee on the forma- 

 tion of a library, which were read and agreed to, as follows : 



[No. 1.] Resolved, That it be recommended to the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution forthwith to employ, subject to' the approval of the Board of Begents, an 

 assistant secretary, well qualified to discharge the duties of librarian. 



[No. 2.] Resolved, That a committee be appointed, in conjunction with the Secre- 

 tary, to prepare and submit to this Board extended lists of books, in the different de- 

 partments of learning, proper to be first purchased, according to the general principles 

 of this report ; and, for this purpose, that they be authorized to request the aid of the 

 librarian, and of other persons competent to afford it, and to engage to such person 

 the honor of the Board for discretionary remuneration of such aid. 



Mr. Choate, Mr. Hilliard, and Mr. Rush were appointed the said 

 committee. 



