REPORT OF THE ACTING SECRETARY. 29 



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 sxmi of S500,000 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 additions to the collections as may 

 seem to me advisable or nec-essary for the improvement of the collections, or 

 any of them. 



3. On or before April next I will file with the officials of the Smithsonian 

 Institution or the United States Government a descriptive inventory of the 

 objects belonging to the collections. 



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

 any loss in or danger that may accrue to the collections while in my or their 

 charge, even though such loss or initu-y 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 am, with great respect, very sincerely yours, 



Charles L. Frees. 



Following is the resolution of acceptance, adopted by the Board 

 on January 24, 1906 : 



The Board of Regents, recognizing the great value to the people of the 

 United States of the art collection so generously offered by Mr. Charles L. 

 Freer, of Detroit. Michigan ; 



Resolved. That the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Instittition do hereby 

 accept the tender of Mr. Freer to make present conveyance to the Ir^titu- 

 tion of the title to his art collection, and to bequeath to the Institution 

 the smm of ?500.000 for the construction of a fireproof building in which to 

 house it. under the terms as stated in his communication to the President of 

 the United States dated December 15. 19C>5. 



The conveyance was finally executed on May o. 1906, in the follow- 

 ing terms: 



Know all men by these presents that Charles L. Freer, of the city of Detroit, 

 county of Wayne, and State of Michigan, party of the first part, for and in 

 consideration of the sum of one dollar and of other valuable considerations to 

 him in hand paid by the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment created by 

 act of Congress, party of the second part, the receipt whereof is acknowledged, 

 has bargained and sold, and by these presents does grant and convey unto the 

 said party of the second part, and unto its successors, the art objects belonging 

 to said party of the first part and now in his possession at No. 33 Ferry avenue 

 east, in the city of Detroit. Michigan, particularly enumerated in the printed 

 inventory hereto attached and made a part hereof ; to have and to hold the same 

 vmto the said party of the second part, and its successors forever. 



The said party of the first part for himself, liis heirs, executors and adminis- 

 trators, does covenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part, 

 and its successors, to warrant and defend the sale hereby made of said property, 

 goods and chattels unto the said party of the second part, and its successors, 

 against all and every person or persons whatsoever. 



