FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1877-1879. 809 



In reply to the question as to the number of years of service Professor Henry lias 

 spent in the Light-House Board, I have to say that he was one of the original mem- 

 bers appointed in 1852, and that he served as such continuously up to the time of 

 his death, giving a little more than a quarter of a century to its duties. 



In reply to the question as to the number of the days in each year which Professor 

 Henry gave to the Light-House Service, I have to say, the whole of each summer 

 vacation from his duties as director of the Smithsonian Institution, say from six weeks 

 to two months, were devoted to it; but apart from that, few, if any, days were entirely 

 given up to it, except when he was sent by the board to make special examinations 

 and reports, making, perhaps, a month more in each year. Otherwise, while no 

 day was free from it entirely, no day was wholly given up to the Light-House 

 Service. 



As to the amount and nature of the expenses incurred by Professor Henry, I have 

 to report that they were simply and solely actual traveling expenses when absent 

 from this city on duty, for which due itemized accounts were made, and which were 

 paid on presentation of his sworn account, under the rules of the Department. All 

 such expenses were refunded, but no other payments were made to him or could l>e 

 made to him under the organic law of the board. 



Very respectfully, Geo. Dewey, 



Naval Secretary. 



The Hon. Secretary of the-Treasury. 



[Indorsement on letter.] 



State the number of years Professor Henry served as a member of the board, the 

 number as chairman of the board, and what number, or months, or days in each 

 year, on an average, he was employed for business of the Government. 



John Sherman, Secretary. 



May 24, 1878. 



June 20, 1878. 



Sundry civil act for 1879. 



To pa}^ to the legal representatives of the late Joseph Henry, for 

 services rendered li}' him as member and president of the Light-House 

 Board, 111,000. 



(Stat. XX, 214.) 



ACTING SECRETARY OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



June 7, 1878— Senate. 



Mr. Hannibal Hamlin asked, and ])y unanimous consent obtained, 

 leave to introduce a bill (S. 137-4) authorizing the Chancellor of the 

 Smithsonian Institution to appoint an Acting Secretary in certain 

 cases. 



Mr. Hamlin. There is no entirely appropriate committee, and I 

 move, therefore, that the bill be referred to a select committee con- 

 sisting of the three Senators who are Regents of that Institution. 



Agreed to. 

 June 8, 1878— Senate. 



Mr. Hamlin. The select committee, to whom was referred the bill 

 (S. 1374) authorizing the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution to 



