pkocep:dijngs of thp: board of regents. xvii 



advice, and remove every undesiral)le article, and add in tlie future whatever I can 

 obtain of like harmonious standard quality. 



I now repeat my offer to bequeath these collections to the Smithsonian Institution, 

 or to the United States Government, and also the sum of $500,000 in money for the 

 purpose of constructing a suitable building in which to house them, upon the follow- 

 ing terms and conditions: 



First. The sum of $500,000 shall be paid by my executors to the Regents of the 

 Smithsonian Institution or the United States Government promptly after my decease, 

 and shall be used forthwith for the construction of a fireproof building connected 

 with the National Museum, the construction of which has recently been authorized, 

 or reasonably near thereto. 



Second. The interior of this building shall be arranged with special regard for tlie 

 convenience of students and others desirous of an opportunity for uninterrupted 

 study. A suitable space shall he provided in which the Peacock Room shall be 

 reerected complete. The whole interior arrangement of the building shall be agreed 

 upon between the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution and myself within a 

 reasonable time after the acceptance of this offer. 



Third. The collections, with such changes and additions thereto as shall be made 

 during my lifetime, shall be delivei'ed by my executors to the Regents immediately 

 after the building is constructed and ready to receive them. 



Fourth. The collections and the buildings shall be cared for and maintained per- 

 petually by the Smithsonian Institution or the United States Government at its own 

 expense. 



Fifth. No addition or deduction shall be made to the collections after my death, 

 and nothing else shall ever be exhibited with them, or in the same building, nor 

 shall the said collections, or any part thereof, be removed at any time«from the said 

 1 inilding except when necessary for the purpose of making repairs or renovations in 

 tlie building. 



Sixth. No charge shall ever be made for admission to the building or for the privi- 

 lege of examining or studying the collections. 



Seventh. The collections and building shall always bear my name in some modest 

 and appropriate form. 



In lieu of the foregoing offer I am willing, upon the conditions above expressed, 

 to make a present conveyance of the title to said collections to the Institution or the 

 Government, and a bequest of the sum of |500,000 for the building, provided: 



1. The collections shall remain in my possession during my life, and in the possession 

 of my executors after my death until the completion of the building. 



2. I shall have the right to make such changes in the collections, by disposing of 

 any part thereof, or by adding thereto, as may seem to me advisable or necessary 

 for the improvement of the collections, or any of them. 



3. Both I and my executors shall be free from any liability on account of any loss 

 in or damage that may accrue to the collections while in my or their charge, even 

 though such loss or injury shall occur by reason of my or their negligence, or the 

 negligence of my or their servants, agents, or employees. 



The exact form of the bequest or gift and the details for carrying it into execution 

 are legal questions that can be agreed upon by counsel representing the Institution 

 or the Government and myself. 



I suggest that the Institution or the Government, before coming to a decision 

 regarding the above offer, send a committee of experts to Detroit to make an exami- 

 nation of the collections. It will be a source of satisfaction to me to exhibit the col- 

 lections to such a committee, and the report it may make will be of great value to 

 the Institution or Government in reaching a conclusion. I remain, with gr(\it 

 respect. 



Very truly, yours, . Charles L. Freer. 



