TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1839-1841. 183 



lent design of the late James Smithson, of England, shonld be carried into execution 

 as soon as practicable by the establishment of an institution in their city for the 

 diffusion of knowledge among men. As this is a matter which more immediately 

 concerns the people of Washington, where, according to the desire and instruction of 

 the testator, the institution is to be founded, they necessarily feel a deep solicitude on 

 the subject and are anxious that Congress would take it into serious and immediate 

 consideration, in order that the benefit intended to be conferred may be enjoyed at as 

 early a period as possible. They need not suggest that, in addition to the intellectual 

 advantages of Avhich the contemplated institution promises to be productive, it will 

 be the means, they believe, of adding greatly to the reputation of the metropolis and 

 of giving to it a new source of attraction. Though this motive may appear to be 

 selfish, it is nevertheless one which all who take an interest in the welfare and pros- 

 perity of the capital of their country must necessarily feel. But your memorialists 

 are influenced by loftier and philanthropic motives in wishing to see the instruc- 

 tions of Mr. Smithson carried into effect. It is imjiossible to calculate the amount 

 of good which an institution properly founded and judiciously organized, as they 

 have no doubt this will be, is susceptible of promoting the improvement of the intel- 

 lect, taste, and morals of the great community of this country; for though the foun- 

 tain may be here, its streams will flow through all parts of the Republic and fertilize 

 and improve its remotest borders. It is not for the memorialists to j)oint out the char- 

 acter of such an institution as should be established in accordance with the design of 

 him who made the bequest, because they know it is in much abler hands, and there- 

 fore it would be presumptuous in them to attempt it. All they desire is to see it 

 speedily commenced and the design fully carried out, and in this desire they believe 

 they are joined by all who feel an interest in the diffusion of hmnan knowledge and 

 the intellectual improvement of their fellow-men. 



Your memorialists respectfully pray that, for the benefit of their countrymen, and 

 the special advantage which will result from it to Washington, thesul)ject may claim 

 the immediate attention of Congress, and that a plan will be devised and adopted 

 during the present session, which will accord with the intentions of the testator, and, 

 when carried into execution, l)e attended with all the l)lessings and advantages which 

 are expected to flow from an institution already founded and wisely organized. 



And so they will ever pray. 



Peter Force. 



Ch. W. GoLDSBOBOUCiH. 



Geo. Watterston. 

 John W. Maury. 



John Wilson. 

 Geor(;e Adams. 

 Samuel Byington. 



Mr. John Quincy Adams presented a memorial of Constantine S. 

 llatine.sqiic, of Philadelphia, professor of historical and natural sci- 

 ences, praying that the benevolent intentions of James Smithson may 

 be speedily realized, by the immediate establishment of an institution 

 for the diffusion of useful knowledge among men; which was referred 

 to the select committee on the Smithsonian bequest. 

 February 13, 1840— Senate. 



Mr. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, presented the petition of the Ken- 

 tucky State Agricultural Society, praying the endowment of an agri- 

 cidtural school or college out of the fluids of the Smithsonian legacy; 

 referred to the Conmiittco on Airriculture. 



