XII PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOAED OF REGENTS. 



demise of a man of exemplary rectitude, who discharged all his duties with 

 wisdom, fidelity and conscientious care; a statesman of the first rank whose 

 services to his country are of enduring worth. This Board has lost a colleague 

 whose interest in the atfairs of the Institution was ever keen, and whose serv- 

 ices were always helpful. At the meetings of the Board, on committees to 

 which he was appointed, and in the Senate Chamber, his voice was always given 

 with that combination of progressive thought and conservative judgment which 

 so distinguished his character. In his death the nation has lost a wise states- 

 man, the Institution a valued counsellor, and the members of the Board a 

 cherished friend. 



Resolved, That this resolution be entered as a part of the journal of the 

 Board, and a copy thereof be transmitted to Mrs. Piatt. 



THE FREER ART COLLECTIONS. 



The Chancellor brought Ijefore the Board the oflPer of Mr. Charles 

 L. Freer, of Detroit, Michigan, to bequeath or make present convey- 

 ance of title to his art collections to the Smithsonian Institution or 

 the United States Government, as indicated in his letter to the Secre- 

 tary of December 27, 1904. The Acting Secretary read a letter from 

 Mr. Freer, acknowledging the resolution adopted by the Board at its 

 meeting on March 6, 1905. 



After an extended discussion it was, on motion of Judge Gray : 



Resolved, That in view of the diSiculties concerning any action by the Regents 

 in reference to the offer made by Mr. Freer, and of our high appreciation of the 

 generosity exhibited by him, the Secretary be instructed to write Mr. Freer 

 asking his permission to make public the correspondence between him and the 

 Regents regarding his said offer. 



The following resolution was also agreed to : 



Whereas the special committee appointed to visit Detroit and examine the art 

 collection of Mr. Freer reported that " it was mutually agreed that, at some 

 early period during the next session of Congress and at the convenience of the 

 Board of Regents of this Institution, Mr. Freer would visit Washington and 

 (>xhibit such portions of his collection as might properly and fairly represent 

 the whole ; " 



Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to provide a suitable place in the 

 building of the Smithsonian Institution or the United States National Museum 

 for the exhibit of such collections as Mr. Freer may desire to bring to Wash- 

 ington, and that he communicate with Mr. Freer to ascertain what time would 

 be most convenient for the exhibit of a representative selection as agreed upon 

 between Mr. Freer and the committee of the Board of Regents. 



DEFALCATIONS OF AV. W. KARR. 



The Acting Secretary submitted to the Board, on behalf of the 

 Secretary, a statement of the defalcations of W. W. Karr, for many 

 years the accountant and disbursing agent of the Institution, involv- 

 ing a serious loss to its income. After remarks by Senator Hender- 



