170 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



by Government through the grounds of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, to the middle of the south front of the building; that the 

 institution was now supplied with rain water from the cisterns in 

 the towers, but as the supplj- from this source was uncertain, it was 

 desirable that the Potomac water should be introduced ; whereupon 

 it was — 



Resolved, That the Secretary procure plans and estimates for the introduction of 

 the Potomac water into the building, and that the Secretary and the Executive Com- 

 mittee be authorized to make contracts for this purpose. 



The Secretary presented his annual report of the operations of 

 the institution ; which was read in part. 



The Board then adjourned, to meet on Tuesday, February 19, at 

 8 o'clock, p. m. 



February 19, 1861. 



The Board met at 8 o'clock, p. m., in the Regents' room of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



Present, Hon. James M. Mason, Hon. W. H. English, Hon. B. 

 Stanton, General Joseph G. Totten, Professor A. D. Bache, and the 

 Secretary. 



Mr. Mason was called to the chair. 



The minutes were read and approved. 



The report of the Secretary was .read and adopted. 



The Board then took a recess till Friday evening. 



February 22, 8 p. m. 



Present, Messrs. Pearce, Douglas, English, and Totten. 



The Secretary read the appendix to his annual report. 



The Secretary presented the following letters, which he had pre- 

 pared in accordance with the resolution of the Board, relative to 

 serial navigation, in answer to the memorial of citizens of Phila- 

 delphia, and to the communication of Mr. Lowe : 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D. C, March 8, 1861. 



Gentlemen: Your communication, addressed to the Smithsonian Institution, 

 commending Mr. Lowe to the Board of Regents, for assistance in carrying out his 

 proposed experiment to cross the Atlantic by means of a balloon, was duly received. 

 It was presented to the Board of Regents at their meeting of February 1G, was 

 respectfully considered, and, after due deliberation, the following resolution was 

 adopted : 



" Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to give Mr. Lowe any advice which he 

 may deem fit as to his experiments ; and to reply to the memorialists, stating the rea- 

 sons why the Regents do not consider themselves at liberty to make any appropria- 

 tion from the Smithsonian fund for the purpose mentioned in the communication." 



In accordance with the above resolution I would state that the Board of Regents 

 of the Smithsonian Institution are responsible to the Government and to the world 



