JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 51 



proved dictionary of the English language, under the auspices of 

 the Smithsonian Institution. 

 On motion, it was — 



Resolved, That the forementioned letter and plan be referred to the Secretary, the 

 Executive Committee, and Mr. Marsh. 



On motion of Mr. Marsh, it was — 



Resolved, That the Secretary he authorized to purchase, for the sum of one hun- 

 dred and fifty dollars, the lithographic stones upon which are traced the designs for 

 the first volume of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. 



Mr. Seaton presented letters from several persons making appli- 

 cation for employment in the institution. 



The Secretary called the attention of the Board to the statement 

 made in his report relating to the valuable donation of apparatus, 

 made to the institution by Dr. Robert Hare, of Philadelphia. 



"Whereupon, on motion of Mr. Seaton, it was unanimously — 



Resolved, That a committee be appointed, to consist of the Chancellor, Secretary, 

 and Mr. Pearce, to communicate in suitable terms to Dr. Hare, the thanks of the 

 Board of Regents for the munificent present of his extensive and very valuable appa- 

 ratus to the Smithsonian Institution. 



The Secretary stated to the Board the progress made in the dis- 

 tribution of the first .volume of the Smithsonian Contributions to 

 Knowledge among colleges, learned societies, and large libraries ; 

 no copies having as yet been given to individuals. 



The Secretary presented a list of donations to the institution. 



The Secretary also presented letters from several distinguished 

 individuals, highly approving the plan of the proposed Bibliograjphia 

 Americana, mentioned in his report. 



On motion, the Board adjourned to meet on "Wednesday, the 27th 

 instant, at 11 o'clock, a. m. 



December 27, 1848. 



The Board met agreeably to adjournment. 



Present, Messrs. Bache, Davis, McClelland, Seaton, and Totten. 



The Chancellor being absent, Mr. Davis was called to the chair. 



The Secretary presented a letter from J. Disturnell, of New York 

 city, accompanying a copy of a memorial to Congress, relative to 

 the preparation of a new gazetteer of North America ; which letter 

 and memorial were referred to the Secretary and Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



The Secretary also presented a letter from Francis Markoe, Esq., 

 of Washington, offering for sale to the institution the collection of 

 objects of natural history belonging to the estate of the late Brit- 

 ish Minister to the United States, IT. S. Fox, Esq.; which was 

 referred to the Secretary and Executive Committee, it being 



