TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, 1835-1837. 135 



submitted on the same date by Mr, J. Q. Adams from a select com- 

 mittee, together with the President's message, correspondence, and 

 will, relating to the bequest of James Smithson, late of London, 

 deceased. 



Objection being made, 



Mr. Abu AH Mann, Jr., of New York, said the report was in reference 

 to a subject of considerable interest, not only to the House, but to the 

 country generally. As the report was in the hands of the printer, it 

 was proper that, if an extra nmnber of copies was ordered, it should 

 be done at this time. He moved to suspend the rule for the purpose 

 of entertaining the motion to print, which was agreed to — ayes 107, 

 noes 46. 



Mr. B. C. Howard desired to know from some member of the 

 committee the purport of the report, and what disposition was pro- 

 posed to be made of the bequest. He was entirely ignorant on the 

 subject. 



Mr. Chapin, of New York, said he would, as a member of the com- 

 mittee to which the subject of the Smithsonian bequest had been 

 referred, answer the inquirj^ of the honorable gentleman from Mary- 

 land (Mr. Howard). It was not proposed either by the report or bill 

 which the honorable chairman of the select committee (Mr. Adams) 

 had submitted, to indicate the plan or organization of the institution 

 to be founded. At present it would be entirely premature to do so, 

 because the first step was to obtain the funds, leaving the application 

 of them to future legislation. The bill provides that the President of 

 the United States shall appoint an agent to prosecute the claim in the 

 court of chancery in England, where the funds are locked up, in behalf 

 of the United States, and on the receipt of them to give the proper dis- 

 charge or acquittance for the same. 



Sir, the bequest of James Smithson, amounting to nearl}- half a 

 million of dollars, is among the most liberal benefactions upon record. 

 Coming, too, as it does, from a citizen of Great Britain, who is not 

 known to have visited the United States, or to have had any friends 

 residing here, it may be regarded as a distinguished tribute of respect 

 paid by a foreigner and stranger to the free institutions of our coun- 

 try. It is due to the memory and character of the donor that suitable 

 publicity should be given to this noble and generous act of public 

 munificence; it is due, also, as the acknowledgment of the grateful 

 sense of Congress, in behalf of the people of the United States, for 

 whose benefit the bequest was made; and it is in an especial manner 

 necessary in order to call the attention of men distinguished for learn- 

 ing and talents in all parts of the Union to the subject, for the purpose 

 of obtaining an expression of their views and opinions in regard to the 

 plan and organization of the institution proposed to be established. 

 This splendid benefaction confers immortality upon the individual 

 by whom it was bestowed, and does honor to the age in which we live. 



