4 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



In -lanuary, 1S47. the first Board of IJegeiits, after many weeks of 

 consultation and deliberation over the plans for the organization of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, unanimously voted the following resolution : 



Remlved, That it is tlie iLtentiou of tlie, act of Conj^ress, and in accordance with 

 tlie design of Mr. Sniitlison, as expressed in his will, that one of the principal modes 

 of execntinii the act and the trust is the accumulation of collections of specimens 

 and objects of natural history and of elegant art, and the gradual formation of a 

 library of valuable works pertaining to all departments of human knowledge, to the 

 end that a copious storehouse of materials of science, literature, and art may be 

 provided, which shall excite and diffuse the love of learning among men, and shall 

 assist the original investigations and efforts of those who may devote themselves to 

 the pursuit of any branch of knowledge.* 



From 1844 until ISoS, when the so-called "National Cabinet of Curi- 

 osities" passed into the charge of the Smithsonian Institution, the 

 term " National Museum " Avas not in use. From that time onward, 

 however, it was used, unotticially, to designate the collections in the 

 Smithsonian building. After the "National Cabinet" Avas delivered to 

 the Kegents, appropriations were made by Congress for its maintenance. 

 During the twenty-three years which followed, the collections were 

 greatly increased and were made the subjects of numerous important 

 memoirs upon the natural history and ethnology of America. The pub- 

 lic halls, with their arrangement^ for the exhibition of a portion of the 

 collection, also received a due share of attention, and a certain amount 

 of instruction and pleasnre was aftbrded to visitors. The appropria- 

 tions, however, were meagre, the space limited, and the "staff was so 

 inadequate that little could be done except to keep the collections in 

 good ])reservation. 



The broad jjlan upon which the operations of the National Museum 

 are now conducted was, however, anticipated as far back as 1853, when 

 Prof. Henry wiote: 



There can be little doubt that in due time ample provision will be made for a 

 library and museum at the capital of this Union worthy of a Government whose 

 perpetuity depends upon the virtue and intelligence of the people.! 



The difficulties attending the formation of such a museum were 

 appreciated by Prof. Henry, who already in his report for 1849, had 

 spoken with much emphasis of the caution required in assuming under 

 the direction of the Institution the care of the national collections. 



Prof. Henry, in the report of the Institution for 1870,| again care- 

 fully expressed his opinion as to the character which should be given 

 to the National Museum. 



There is [he wrote] scarcely any subject connected with science and education to 

 which more attention is given at the present day than that of collections of objects 

 of nature and art, known under the general denomination of museums. This arises 

 from their growing importance as aids to scientific investigation and instruction. 



' Report of Committee on Organization, p. 20. 

 t Report, Smithsonian Institution, 1852, p. 245. 

 \ Report, Smithsonian Institution, 1870, p. 31. 



