JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 101' 



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



The minutes of the last meeting were then read, and after cor- 

 rection, approved. 



Letters from Hon. R. B. Taney, Chancellor of the Institution, 

 and from Hon. Richard Rush, stating their inability to attend this 

 meeting of the Board, were read by the Secretary. 



Mr. Pearce, chairman of the Special Committee, on the resolu- 

 tions of Messrs. Fitch and Meacham, stated that it was ready to 

 report, but as it was considered desirable to have a full meetino- of 

 the Board, when the subject should be discussed, he moved that 

 the Board adjourn. 



The Board then adjourned to meet on Saturday, 20th instant, at 

 10 o'clock, a. m. 



May 20, 1854. 



An adjourned meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Sat- 

 urday, May 20th, at 10 o'clock, a. m. 



Present, Messrs. Bache, Choate, Douglas, English, Hawley, 

 Maury, Mason, Meacham, Pearce, Stuart, Totten, and the Secre- 

 tary. 



In the absence of the Chancellor, Mr. Hawley was called to the 

 chair. 



The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 



Mr. Pearce, chairman of the Special Committee* appointed by 

 the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, to which were 

 referred the resolutions of Hon. Mr. Fitch and Hon. Mr. Meacham, 

 relative to the distribution of the income of the Smithsonian fund, 

 &c, made the following report : 



The committee, who were directed to report whether it is desirable to make any 

 changes in the distribution of the income of the institution, in the manner contem- 

 plated by the original plan of organization, report as follows : 



The distribution and application of the Smithsonian income should be made so as to 

 answer most effectually and beneficially the purposes for which the institution was 

 endowed and established. In making such distribution and application, the Eegents 

 should faithfully observe the requirements of the act of Congress establishing the in- 

 stitution, and exercise no discretion but that which the law allows to them. 



The purpose of the institution is disclosed in the title of the act, in its preamble, 

 and in its first section. The title is "An act to establish the Smithsonian Institution 

 for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." The preamble states the 

 bequest by James Smithson, of all his property to the United States, to found at 

 "Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, "an establishment for 

 the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." It declares the acceptance of 

 the trust; and " therefore, for the faithful execution of the said trust according to 

 the will of the liberal and enlightened donor," the first section constitutes an estab- 

 lishment by the name of the Smithsonian Institution " for the increase and diffusion 

 of knowledge among men." 



*This committee consisted of the following Regents: Hon. J. A. Pearce, Hon. J. M. Mason, Hon. 

 Richard Rush, Hon. John W. Maury, Gen. J. G. Totten, Prof. A. D. Bache, and the Hon. J. Meacham. 

 The gentleman last named does not concur in this report 



