182 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



called the Smithsonian Inytitution, to l>e foundt'd cm tlie l)equest of Mr. James 



Sniithson, of London, and to report the same to the Senate at the next session of 



Congress. 



March 1, J839— Senate. 



The Senate considered the motion submitted February 28 by Mr. 

 Robbins respecting a Smithsonian Institution; and, on motion by 

 Mr. C. C. Clay, of Alabama, ordered that it lie on the table. 



March 3, 1839. 



Civil and diplomatic act for 1839. 



For carrying into effect the acts relating to the Smithsonian h^gacy, 

 $10,000, to be paid out of the fimd arising from that legacy. 

 (Stat. V, 316.) 



TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1839-1841. 



BEQUEST OF JAMES SMITHSON. 



December 30, 1839— House. 



Mr. John Quincy Adams introduced a Inll to provide for the dis- 

 posal and management of the fiuid bequeathed l)y James Smithson, 

 deceased, to the United States, for the establishment of an institution 

 for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. Referred to 

 a select committee of nine members, viz: 



Mr. John Quincy Adams, Mr. Charles Ogle, Mr. Charles Shepard, 

 Mr. James Garland of Virginia, Mr. Dixon H. Lewis, Mr. Albert 

 Smith of Maine, Mr. D. D. Barnard, Mr. Thomas Corwin, and Mr. 

 John Campbell of South Carolina. 



February 5, 1840— House. 



Memorial of the corporation of the city of Washington on the sub- 

 ject of the Smithsonian bequest was referred to the select committee 

 appointed December 30, 1839. 



Mayor's Office, Wtishingion, January 15, 1840. 

 Sir: In compliance with the instructiona of a committee appointed by the corpo- 

 ration of this city to represent their interests before Congress, I have the lionor to 

 reqnest you to present the inclosed memorial to the House. 



The great interest you liave taken in the subject to which the memorial relates 

 has induced the committee to make this request. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most oliedient servant, 



Peter Force. 

 Hon. J. Q. Adams, 



House of Representatives, United States. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled : 



The memorial of the undersigned, a committee appointed by the corporation of 

 Washington, respectfully represents: 



That they have been instructed to express to your honoraljle l)odies the earnest 

 desire of the city councils, as well as of the citizens of Washington, that the benevo- 



