JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 79 



to furnish designs for a monument in commemoration of James 

 Smithson. An explanation of the designs exhibited was read. 

 On motion of Mr. Mason, it was — 



Resolved, That Dr. Stone's proposition lie on the table. 



The Secretary communicated a proposition from Henry Stevens, 

 of London, to obtain facts relative to the life of James Smithson. 



The following preamble and resolution, submitted by Mr. Mason, 

 was adopted : 



It being represented to the Board that Mr. Henry Stevens, now of London, has 

 proposed to collect certain authentic materials in Europe, which may be useful for a 

 future memoir of the life and character of James Smithson, the founder of the insti- 

 tution, and without compensation for such services ; 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to accept the offer of Mr. Stevens, and 

 to appropriate a sum not exceeding fifty dollars for this object. 



The Secretary laid before the Board a communication from Joseph 

 Bradley relative to claims of John Sniffin, sub-contractor, against 

 Gilbert Cameron, contractor for the Smithsonian building. 



On motion of Mr. Fitch, the letter was referred to the Building 

 Committee. 



The conclusion of the Secretary's annual report was read, con- 

 taining a report by Professor Baird of the details of the statistics 

 of the museum, of the printing of the publications, and of the 

 exchanges ; also an account of the operations relative to meteorol- 

 ogy, the statistics of which are given in a report by Professor Fore- 

 man. 



On motion of Air. Fitch, it was — 



Ordered, That a vote of thanks be presented to Sir Henry Bulwer, for his co-opera- 

 tion in facilitating the transmission of the Smithsonian publications into Great Britain, 

 duty free. The same to be signed by the Chancellor and Secretary. 



The Board then adjourned to Saturday, 21st instant. 



February 21, 1852. 



The Board of Regents met this day at 11 o'clock, a. m. 



Present, Mr. Taney, Chancellor; Messrs. Fitch, Lenox, Mason, 

 and Totten, of the Board ; and Mr. Seaton, treasurer. 



Mr. Mason, to whom was referred the will of the late Thomas 

 Wynn, of Brooklyn, reported that he had written to Mr. J. II. Pat- 

 ten, of New York, relative to the matter, and had received a com- 

 munication, which he presented to the Board. It furnished a state- 

 ment of facts relative to the will, with suggestions as to the course 

 to be pursued by>.tho Board with reference to the bequest. 



The subject was again referred to Mr. Mason for further investi- 

 gation. 



Mr. Lenox presented a report from the Building Committee on 



