THE GENESIS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 325 



In answer, apparently t<> a subseiiuent inquiry from Mr. Marsh, as 

 to the amount of the subsidy desired by the Ilistitute, the following 

 schedule seems to have been prepared. There i.S nothing, however, to 

 indicate that it was ever subudtted to Congress. It is of interest as 

 showing the state of expenditures contem]>lated for the National Mu- 

 seum nearly half a century ago: 



[Mpinoraiidiini in Col. Abert's lianil.] 



Dear Sir: In answer to your impiiry of this morning as to the 

 probable amount and the division of it which will be requisite to pre- 

 serve and arrange the various articles of natuial history belonging to 

 the National Institute, I have the honor to submit the following views 

 to your consideration: 



One taxidermist, who should also be a srientitic ornitholop,iat and well versed 



in natural history generally, per year $1, 400 



One assistant 600 



One entomologist, who sliould also be capable of arranging and naming the 



reptilia 1, 200 



One assistant 600 



One mineralogist 1 , 000 



One assistant 500 



One person in special eharge of the articles, to watch over them, exhibit 



them, etc., who should alsct lie a mechanic 600 



Two lal)orcrs — these should be men of some abilitv in using tools, $1 per day 



tor each ! ■. 730 



Tools, implements, preserving liquors and ingredients, apparatus cases, and 



other lixtures 2, .500 



Freight, postage, stationery, and other contingencies 1, 200 



Arrearages due for freight, postage, printing, etc 1, 500 



11,830 



Hon. Mr. Marsh, May 18, 1844, 



House of Representatives. 



Notwithstanding the extraordinary efforts at this time made and the 

 favorable report of Senator Choate, Congress adjourned in the spring 

 of 1844 without making any provision for the care of the collections of 

 the Institute, 



Another effort was made in 1845. Senator Levi Woodbury, president 

 of the Institute, in the anuual address delivered by him on Jaiuiary 

 15 in the Hall of the House of Representatives, made a most impressive 

 appeal to Congress. After urging i)romi)t action in the matter of the 

 Smithson tnist — " a trust so sacred and imperative that a, longer delay to 

 execute it might prove not a little derogatory to our national honor" — 

 he c<)ntinue<l : 



Should the \)h\\\ lor this not be speedily matured, iiududing the use 

 of the Institute or its ofticers, then a grant at (Uice of enough to defray 

 the expenses attendant on the good preservation and collection of the 

 public materials in our charge seems indispensable, and is believed also 

 to be free from eveiy doubt connected either with expediency or the 

 Constitution, a>s many of the collections now belong to the Govern- 

 ment and all of them are vested in it when the charter expires, and 

 may be forthwith if desirable. What small sum then is granted for 

 this object by the Government is granted for taking care of its own 

 property, the title of which is public, the one public, the whole end and 

 aim public 5 and that act of duty done, we hope, by the further help of 



