426 JOUENAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 



Dr. Parker stated that prior to 1873 all accounts for the museum had 

 been paid in the first instance by the Institution and audited with the 

 Smithsonian vouchers by the executive committee. Last year, however, 

 an arrangement had been made by which bills for the National Museum, 

 after approval by Professor Henry, were presented to the disbursing 

 agent of the Department of the Interior, who paid the parties directly. 

 The accounts were audited by the disbursing officer of the Interior De- 

 partment, and afterward by the Treasury Department. Inasmuch as 

 the regents of the Institution, however, are responsible for all expend- 

 itures connected with its operations, he would ask the opinion of the 

 board as to the propriety of examining all the vouchers for payments 

 made for the-National Museum from the Government appropriations. 

 Professor Henry had retained a duplicate set of vouchers for these pay- 

 ments, and had the books carefully kept, and had offered them to the 

 committee for examination. 



On motion of Mr. Hoar, it was 



Resolved, That the board approve of the examination by the execu- 

 tive committee of the vouchers for the expenditures of the National 

 Museum, as requested by the committee and desired by the Secretary. 



The Secretary stated that the system of international literary and sci- 

 entific exchanges had now become so extensive that he feared the cost 

 would be too great for the means of the Institution, and it had been 

 suggested that the larger societies and establishments which received 

 so much benefit from the system might contribute something annually 

 for its support. After some discussion, 



On motion of Mr. Hamlin, it was 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to receive aid from socie- 

 ties and individuals in defraying the heavy expense of the exchange 

 system. 



The board then adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary- 



April 27, 1874. 



A meeting of Board of Eegents was held at 10 o'clock a. m. 



Present : The Chief Justice of the United States, Hon. M. R. Waite, 

 Hon. Peter Parker, Hon. E. E. Hoar, Hon. G. W. Hazel ton, Professor 

 Asa Gray, and the Secretary, Professor Henry. 



The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 



T^e Secretary stated that the object of the meeting was the election 

 of a chancellor. 



On motion of Mr. Hoar, Chief Justice Waite was unanimously elected 

 chancellor. 



Dr. Parker, from the executive committee, presented a report on the 

 examination of the accounts of the National Museum for 1873, and a 



