26 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



containing positive additions to the sum of human knowledge ; and that these, together 

 with other suitable papers, be published in transactions of the institution, to be entitled 

 " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," and to be published periodically or occa- 

 sionally, in quarto form, as materials may be obtained. 



2. Resolved, That it is within the strict purpose of the trust, and may materially 

 advance its legitimate objects, occasionally to make specific appropriations to definite 

 lines of research, the results to be published as above. 



8. Resolved, That, with a view to the diffusion of knowledge, there may be properly 

 included in the plan of organization the issuing of publications, in brief and popular 

 form, on subjects of general interest. 



4. Resolved, That, with a similar object, there may also properly be included in the 

 plan of organization the issuing of periodical reports containing records of the prog- 

 ress of knowledge in its different branches. 



5. Resolved, That there may also properly be included in the plan free lectures, to 

 be delivered by competent persons, on useful subjects ; and that it may advantageously 

 be made a part of the duty of the Secretary and his assistants to give in the lecture 

 rooms of the institution, at stated periods, illustrations of new discoveries in science 

 and important inventions in the arts. 



6. Resolved, That it is the intention of the act of Congress establishing the institu- 

 tion, and in accordance with the design of Mr. Smithson, as expressed in his will, 

 that one of the principal modes of executing the act and the trust is the accumulation 

 of collections of specimens and objects of natural history and of elegant art, and the 

 gradual formation of a library of valuable works pertaining to all departments of 

 human knowledge, to the end that a copious storehouse of materials of science, litera- 

 ture, and art may be provided, which shall excite and diffuse the love of learning 

 among men, and shall assist the original investigations and efforts of those who may 

 devote themselves to the pursuit of any branch of knowledge. 



7. Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying into effect the two principal modes of 

 executing the act and trust pointed out in the resolutions herewith submitted, the per- 

 manent appropriations out of the accruing interest shall, so soon as the buildings are 

 completed, be annually as follows, viz : 



First, for the formation of a library composed of valuable works pertaining to all 

 departments of human knowledge, and for the procuring, arranging, and preserving 

 of the various collections of the institution, as well of natural history and objects' of 

 foreign and curious research and of elegant art as others, including salaries and all 

 other general expenses connected with the same, excepting those of the first complete 

 arrangement of all such collections and objects as now belong to the United States in 

 the museum of the institution, when completed, together with one-half of the salary 

 of the Secretary, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars. 



Second, for the preparation and publication of transactions, reports, and all other 

 publications of the institution, including appropriations for original researches and 

 premiums for original papers ; for the delivery of all lectures and payment of all lec- 

 turers, and for all general expenses connected with said lectures and publications, to- 

 gether with one-half of the salary of the Secretary, the remainder of the annually 

 accruing interest ; it being understood that all general and incidental expenses not 

 specially connected with either of the above two great divisions of the plan of the 

 institution shall be equally divided between them. 



Mr. Bache offered the following resolutions ; which were read, 

 considered, and agreed to : 



Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be instructed to pre- 

 sent to the Committee of Organization a plan for executing the resolutions relating 

 to Smithsonian contributions, to annual reports and other publications, to premiums, 

 and to original researches. 



Resolved, That said committee, in conjunction with the Secretary, be authorized to 

 publish in quarto form a number of the Smithsonian Contributions to Science, as soon 

 as suitable materials are collected for the same, of which the Secretary and committee 

 shall judge, provided that the expense thereof shall not exceed one thousand dollars ; 

 which sum is hereby appropriated to that object from the income of the institution 

 for the year 1847. 



Resolved, That the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution be requested to pre- 

 pare a biographical notice of James Smithson for the first number of the contributions. 



Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be requested to con- 

 tinue his researches in physical science, and to present such facts and principles as 

 may be developed, for publication in the Smithsonian Contributions. 



