THE GENESIS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 323 



' The properly of tlie Institute is of two kinds: Tliat Avhich it owns, 

 tlie result of donations & purchases, and that which it holds by Deposit. 

 The latter kind, by our Charter cannot be withdrawn, even by depos- 

 itors, till after due notice has been given. The statement which fol- 

 lows, made by Col. Abert, & wh. embraces a very indequatedescriirtion 

 of the report, embraces gifts, purchases & deposits is taken from the 

 records of the Institute, and it may be verified at any time by reference 

 to the records, an attentive examination of wh. would show that the 

 l)roperty of the Institute is of immense value, & of great American as 

 well as general interest; & that it is increasing everyday in a wonder- 

 ful manner — a perusal of the two Bulletins of the proceedings of the 

 Institute wh. have been jniblished will give you the details for two 

 years of tliese accumulated & accumulating materials, & the unpub- 

 lished Kecords wh. g<» back for two years will supply the rest — Mr. 

 Markoe begs leave to add that the MS. matter wh. accom])anied the 

 memorial to Congress, & wii. has happily been placed in your hands, 

 embraces a very condensed view, wh. he prepared with gieat care & 

 toil of all tlie contributions, donations & deposits which have been 

 made to the Inst, since its foundation in May 1840, up to INIarch 1844, 

 & of the names of the contributors, donors, & depositors. For a refu- 

 tation of such misstatements we refer you to these exact details, & 

 sincerely hope that Congress, will publish for its own information as 

 well as for the infornmtion of the world & as an act of justice to the 

 Institute 



The collections referred to are in the great hall of the Patent office, 

 at the Treasury, War & State Depts., at Col. Abert's offtce & at the 

 house of the Secretary of the lust. Besides wh. letters have lately 

 been recM. announcing the approach of great quantities of boxes of 

 specimens of natural history, & other miscellaneous i>resents, from For. 

 Govts. Ministers «& Consuls of the U. S. from oflicers of the Army & 

 Navy, & from numy Societies & individuals both at home & abroad. 



In conclusion, while we invite scrntiny in any shape, we take the 

 liberty of suggesting our earnest & anxious wish to meet a committee 

 wh. whenever appointed will lind or prepare to explain the character 

 & merits of the Inst. & effectually to defeat unfounded & irresponsible 

 surmises. 



With true regards, Yr. obt. humble svts 



Francis Maekoe. 

 J. J. Abert. 



r Imperfect & hasty statement of the collections «Sfc specimens, being 

 either the absolute pro])erty of the Institute, or specially deposited 

 under its care. It is believed, that the greater part of these, will 

 eventually become the property of the Institute; many of them having 

 already become so. 



Minerals — 1st. About 6000 miscellaneous specimens from all quar- 

 ters; 2<1. A complete collection of about 10,000 specimens; 3d. In addi- 

 tion there are about 190 boxes or collections, not examined or opened. 

 They are spoken of as "boxes" or "collections," because the donors 

 used these terms in their letters presenting them and they are accord- 

 ingly so entered upon the Journals of the Institute. 4th. There are 

 also 4 boxes of splendid minerals of Mexico, presented by His Exc. Mr. 

 Tousel the Minister of War & Marine of Mexico, and one box.Mex. 

 Antiquities. 



Fossils. — Upwards of 30 boxes and seven or 8 thousand miscellane- 

 ous specimens & casts of rare fi^ssils. 



