REPORTS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 505 



000 for the building. The scheme would have been entirely successful, a nd even a 

 larger saving might have been made had the building been completed within the 

 estimated cost ; but this was found inconsistent with a proper regard to the safety 

 and durability of the edifice. The actual cost, according to the statement of the 

 Building Committee, exclusive of furniture, is about $310,000; notwithstanding this, 

 the sum which has been saved is $125,000. Although this is not all that could have 

 been wished, it is, perhaps, more than could have been reasonably anticipated. The 

 committee have been informed that Messrs. Corcoran & Kiggs do not desire any 

 longer to retain possession of the surplus fund, and it will, therefore, be necessary to 

 urge its acceptance by Congress as an addition to the fund in the United States 

 Treasury, or securely invest it in State stocks. The interest on the original fund is 

 received semi-annually, and, as far as possible, it will be advisable to make the pay- 

 ments of salaries and other objects at the same time. Unless this is done, a surplus 

 will continually be required, which is not drawing interest, or bills must be paid by 

 drafts in anticipation of the end of the half year. While the building was in pro- 

 cess of erection, it was impossible to observe a rule of this kind, since, according to- 

 the original contract, the payments for the work done were to be made monthly. 



It will be recollected that a portion of the Smithsonian bequest (about $25,000) 

 still remains in England, as the principal of a life annuity in favor of Madame de la 

 Batut, the mother of the nephew of Smithson. The annuitant is a very aged person, 

 and cannot, in the ordinary course of nature, be expected long to survive. The Hon. 

 Mr. Bush, to whom this matter was referred, has written to Messrs. Clarke, Fyn- 

 more & Fladgate, the solicitors employed in obtaining the bequest, asking them to 

 procure information in regard to this point. 



Another subject, which may require the attention of the Board, is that of the 

 Wynns estate, contingently bequeathed to the Smithsonian Institution. It appears 

 by a letter from Joseph H. Patton, Esq., of New York, who was engaged by the 

 Board to inquire into the matter, that the widow of Mr. Thomas Wynns was married 

 in 1854 to Captain Anderson, of the lioyal Artillery, now stationed at Barbadoes, 

 where she resides with the child, upon whose decease, without issue, the bulk of the 

 estate is to come to this Institution. 



Mr. Patton advises that the Board require from the executors security for the 

 proper fulfillment of the trust. 



The committee submit the following estimates for appropriations for the year 1856 : 



BUILDING, FURNITURE, FIXTURES, ETC. 



Due on contracts $6,000 00 



Repairs and miscellaneous incidentals to building 600 00 



Furniture, &c, for uses in common 500 00 



library 300 00 



museum 150 00 



Magnetic observatory 20 00 



$7,570 00 



GENERAL EXPENSES. 



Meetings of Board and committees 375 00 



Lighting and heating 1,200 00 



Postage 400 00 



Transportation and exchange 1,000 00 



Stationery 300 00 



General printing 350 00 



Apparatus 300 00 



Laboratory, fitting up 800 00 



Incidentals general 500 00 



Salaries— Secretary 3,500 00 



chief clerk 1,200 00 



book-keeper 200 00 



janitor 400 00 



watchmen 550 00 



laborers 450 00 



extra clerks __. 200 00 



11,725 00 



