TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1837-1839. 169 



auspices than to have attracted the care of the honorable Senator, who 

 in every way is so eminentl3' qualified to take charge of whatever con- 

 cerns the interest of learning or of charit}". No one has more expe- 

 rience in his own heart, or more exemplified in his own character the 

 benign influences of education, than the honorable gentleman; and no 

 one, therefore, in this body was so fit to have submitted the resolution 

 before 3'ou, or to cast the foundations of an institution whose duration, 

 we may hope, will bear a proportion to its enlarged objects. 1 am sure 

 I but speak the sentiments of all the Senators when I offer him my 

 earnest thanks for the lead he takes in this matter. Nor can I forbear 

 also to thank him for introducing those elegant and elevated topics 

 which carry us for a moment into regions of calm and serene air, above 

 the smoke and din of our accustomed and more strenuous efforts on 

 this floor. It is pleasant to repose upon the green spot he has pre- 

 sented to us. 



"I rejoice that this subject demands our attention at this session. 

 After a long term of useful and honorable public serxice, my honorable 

 friend is now about to terminate his cooperation with us on this floor. 

 It is his last session. It is a fortunate, as it is a most just and fit termina- 

 tion of his official productions, that he at once finishes and perfects 

 them by inscribing his name where it will be most appropriately 

 placed — upon an institution for the promotion of knowledge." 

 January 11, 1839— Senate. 



Mr. AsHER RoBBiNs's resolution was adopted, and Mr. A. Robbing, 

 Mr. W. C. Preston, Mr. W. C. Rives, Mr. James Buchanan, Mr. T. H. 

 Benton, Mr. S. L. Southard, and Mr. R. H. Bayard were appointed 

 as committee. 



January 12, 1839— House. 



The concurrent resolution from the Senate (S. 7) "concerning the 

 legacy bequeathed b}^ Mr. James Smithson, of London, to the United 

 States, in trust, for an institution of learning, to be established in the 

 city of Washington," was concurred in by the House. 



Mr. John Quincy Adams, Mr. F. O. J. Smith, Mr. Charles Ogle, 

 Mr. Charles Shepard, Mr. Orrin Holt, Mr. Waddy Thompson, Mr. 

 W. H. Hunter of Ohio, Mr. John P. Kennedy, and Mr. James Gar- 

 land of Virginia, were appointed said committee. 



January 14, 1839 — House. 



On motion of Mr. George M. Keim — 



Resolved {the Senate concurring iliere'm), That the joint committee on tlie Smith- 

 sonian bequest l>e instnu'ted to inquire into the propriety of esfcibUshing a professor- 

 ship of the German language as a part of the literary instruction in the intended 

 Smithsonian Institute. 



January 16, 1839— Senate. 



The Keim resolution of the House, of January 14, was laid on the 

 table. 



