48 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



The resolution offered by Mr. Choate on Tuesday, the 21st in- 

 stant, relative to the appointment of a committee of three to con- 

 sider what services may be rendered by the Assistant Secretary, 

 acting as librarian, between this time and March 19, 1849, coming 

 up for consideration, it was adopted. 



And the Chancellor appointed Messrs. Choate, Bache, and Mc- 

 Clelland the said committee. 



The Secretary stated to the Board that during the past year he 

 had, with the consent of the Executive Committee, given a course 

 of lectures at Princeton, for which he had received, including the 

 rent of the house occupied by his family, a compensation of one 

 thousand dollars. For this sum, after deducting certain expenses 

 for clerk hire, assistance, &c, he had given credit to the Board in 

 his account for the present half year. 



On motion, the Board adjourned to meet on Friday next, at 12 

 o'clock, m. 



December 24, 1847. 

 The Board met agreeably to adjournment. 



Present, George M. Dallas, Chancellor; Henry "W. Hilliard, 

 George P. Marsh, Kobert McClelland, W. W. Seaton, and Joseph 

 G. Totteu. 



The Chancellor presented the following letter from Gen. Cass : 



"Washington City, December 24, 1847. 

 Sir : Finding it impossible, consistently with my other duties, properly to execute 

 the trust of a Kegent of the Smithsonian Institution, I request that this may be con- 

 sidered as my resignation of that office. 



I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



LEWIS CASS. 

 Hon. George M. Dallas, 



Vice-President of the United States. 



On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was — 



Resolved, That Mr. Breese be requested to move in the Senate of the United States 

 the appointment of a successor to Gen. Cass. 



Also, on motion of Mr. Seaton, it was — 



Resolved, That the account of expenditures rendered by the Executive Committee, 

 after being certified by the Chancellor and the Secretary, be entered on the journal. 



On motion, the Board then adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock, a. 

 m., on Monday, the 27th instant. 



December 27, 1847. 



The Board met agreeably to their adjournment. 



Present, George M. Dallas, Chancellor; Alexander D. Bache, 

 Sidney Breese, Rufus Choate, George P. Marsh, Robert McClel- 

 land, and Joseph G. Totten. 



