THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-1855. 543 



gives to each the benefit of the '•increase of knowledge'' which either 

 may obtain, and at the same time diffuses it throughout the civilized 

 world. The library thus formed will contain books suitable to the 

 present state of scientific knowledge, and will keep pace with its 

 advance; and it is certainh' far superior to a vast collection of expen- 

 sive works, most of which may be found in any public library, and 

 man}^ of which are mere objects of curiosity or amusement, and sel- 

 dom, if ever, opened by any one engaged in the pursuits of science. 



These operations appear to have been carried out by the Regents, 

 under the immediate superintendence of Professor Henry, with zeal, 

 energ}', and discretion, and with the strictest regard to economy in the 

 expenditure of the funds. Nor does there seem to be any other mode 

 which Congress could prescribe or the Regents adopt which would bet- 

 ter fulfill the high trust which the United States have undertaken to 

 perform. No fixed and immutable plan prescribed b}^ law or adopted 

 by the Regents would attain the objects of the trust. It was evidently 

 the intention of the donor that it should be carried into execution by 

 an institution or establishment, as it is termed in his will. Congress 

 has created one, and given it ample powers, but directing its attention 

 particularly to the objects enumerated in the law; and it is the duty of 

 that Institution to avail itself of the light of experience, and to change 

 its plan of operations when they are convinced that a different one will 

 better accomplish the objects of the trust. The Regents have done so, 

 and wisely, for the reasons above stated. The committee see nothing, 

 therefore, in their conduct which calls for any new legislation or any 

 change in the powers now exercised by the Regents. 



For many of the views and statements in the foregoing report, the 

 committee are indebted to the full and luminous reports of the Board 

 of Regents. From the views entertained by the committee, after an 

 impartial examination of the proceedings referred to, the committee 

 have adopted the language of the resolution, "that no action of the 

 Senate is necessary and proper in regard to the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion;" and this is the unanimous opinion of the committee. 

 February 20, 1855 — House. 



Mr. C. W. Upiiam. I wish, b\' the unanimous consent of the House, 

 to ask for the appointment of a clerk to the Committee on the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. We have been at work nearly one month, most 

 laboriously, and have been compelled to employ a clerk, and sometimes 

 more than one. I have not had an opportunity to bring my motion for 

 the appointment of a clerk ])efore the House, because every morning- 

 gentlemen insisted on the regular order of business; and I now ask the 

 the House to allow that committee to employ a clerk. 



[General cries of "Oh, yes; let them have a clerk."] 



Mr. Charles Hughes. If the House give unanimous consent to 

 the gentleman's proposition, I will withdraw the motion to adjourn. 



