266 WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. [1847 



SECTION I. 



Plan of Organization of the Institution in accordance tuith the 

 foregoing deductions from the will of Smithson. 



To increase knowledge: It is proposed — 



1. To stimulate men of talent to make original researches 

 by offering suitable rewards for memoirs containing new 

 truths; and, 



2. To appropriate annually a portion of the income for 

 particular researches, under the direction of suitable persons. 



To diffuse knowledge: It is proposed — 



1. To publish a series of periodical reports on the progress 

 of the different branches of knowledge; and, 



2. To publish occasionally separate treatises on subjects of 

 general interest. 



DETAILS OF THE PLAN TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE. 



I. By stimulating researches. 



1. Rewards consisting of money, medals, &c., offered for 

 original memoirs on all branches of knowledge. * 



2. The memoirs thus obtained to be published in a series 

 of volumes, in a quarto form, and entitled "Smithsonian 

 Contributions to Knowledge." 



3. No memoir on subjects of physical science to be accepted 

 for publication which does not furnish a positive addition to 

 human knowledge, resting on original research; and all 

 unverified speculations to be rejected. 



4. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be sub- 

 mitted for examination to a commission of persons of 

 reputation for learning in the branch to which the memoir 

 pertains, and to be accepted for publication only in case the 

 report of this commission is favorable. 



5. The commission to be chosen by the officers of the 

 Institution, and the name of the author (as far as practicable) 

 concealed, unless a favorable decision be made. 



* [In the annual report for 1855, this clause was changed to read — 

 *' 1. Facilities afforded for the production of original memoirs on all branches 

 of knowledge."] 



