JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 49 



Mr. Choate, on behalf of the committee appointed on the 23d 

 instant, relative to the duty of the Assistant Secretary, made the 

 following report : 



The committee appointed at a meeting of the Board of Eegents on the 23d instant, 

 to inquire and report in what manner the Assistant Secretary, acting as Librarian, 

 may be employed (if at all) with advantage to the Smithsonian Institution, between 

 the present time and the 19th March, 1849, respectfully present for the consideration 

 of the Board the following resolutions, embracing the matter of their inquiries, to- 

 gether with a report from the Assistant Secretary. 



Eespectfully submitted by — 



K. CHOATE, 



a. d. baciie, 

 e. McClelland, 



Committee. 



The resolutions accompanying the report were as follows : 



Resolved, That the Assistant Secretary, acting as librarian, may be employed with 

 advantage to the Smithsonian Institution, during a portion of the time between this 

 date and the 19th of March, 1849, in the following duties, to wit : 



1. The preparation of catalogues of books suitable for the commencement of the 

 library, in accordance with the plan of organization heretofore adopted by the Board 

 of Eegents. 



2. The purchase of the more necessary books on bibliography. 



3. The collection and systematic arrangement, for purposes of comparison, of the 

 printed catalogues of the principal libraries throughout the United States ; together 

 with information in regard to the expenditures, plans of increase, and other particu- 

 lars relating to the said libraries. 



4. The collection of books to which the institution may be entitled under the tenth 

 section of the act organizing the institution. 



Resolved, That the Assistant Secretary, acting as librarian, be employed for the 

 purposes specified in the foregoing resolution under the direction of a committee of 

 three members of the Board, to be appointed by the Chancellor, and to act in conjunc- 

 tion with the Secretary, at a compensation to bo fixed by the Executive Committee, 

 but not to exceed one thousand dollars, for any services he may render between this 

 date and the time fixed for the commencement of his regular duties as Assistant Sec- 

 retary. 



The said resolutions were adopted. 



Whereupon, the Chancellor appointed Mr. Choate, Mr. Marsh, 

 and Mr. Bache the said committee. 



The Secretary presented to the Board the subject of the remu- 

 neration of the Assistant Secretary for services rendered during 

 the past year : when — 



On motion, it was — 



Resolved, That the subject of compensation to the Assistant Secretary for services 

 rendered during the past year, bo referred to the Executive Committee. 



The Board then adjourned sine die. 



December 13, 1848. 

 This being the day fixed by their resolutions of September 9, 

 1846, and of December 21, 1847, for their regular annual meeting, 

 the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution convened in 

 the room of the Vice-President of the United States, in the Capitol, 

 at 12 o'clock, m. 

 4 



