THE GENESIS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 349 



I'oom, and in consequence its labors are limited to such as are m^cessary and prelim- 

 inary, to ,1 permanent and scientific arranj;enicnt. 



The sairie consideration lias influenced the employment which has been authorized. 

 The committee to which this matter was intrusted Ity the Institution, did not feel 

 authorized to recommend to the Department having charge of the appropriation any 

 system which should involve the Government in a liability for one day beyond the 

 enduring of the appropriation. 



Th(^ a])propriation has become exhausted, but the persons employed have contin- 

 ued their labors under the hope that the great work ujton winch they have been 

 engaged and which has progressed with such flattering activity will not now be 

 abandoned. These persons aie: 



H. King, es(|., curator of the Institution, wiio has the general care of the collections 

 which have been intrusted to the Institution, and who is held responsible to the 

 Institution lor their safe-keeping. His particular attention has been devoted to the 

 minerals, niollnsca, echini, radiati, spongia, and Crustacea, Jind to the construction 

 of the cases, procuring of the glassware, and other reiinisite materials. HLs compen- 

 sation was fixed at first at $3 per day, but afterwards, in consequence of his being 

 at much expense for trips he had to make to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, 

 aiul being liable to such trips in the execution of his duties, it was raised to $5 per 



7 .-"s^^y Townsend, esi]., taxidermist. His duty is to dress, stutt, ])rei)are, and ar- 

 ^ range the skins. His compensation is $',^ per day. 



• ' Mr. Nuttall, who Avas enqdoyed on the botanical specimens at $o ])er day. He is 



not at present in emjiloy, having other engagements. 



One assistant, Mr. Pollard, at .$1..50 per day. ^ 



One other assistant, who is .-ilso a good mechanic and arranger, Mr. V.ardin, at 

 .$1.50 per day. 



One messenger and laborer at $1 per day. 



The occasional employ of laborers and mechanics. 



All of the aj)propriations not required for these employments have been expemled 

 for cases, glassware, and other necessary contingencies to such an establishment, 

 the accounts and vouchers for which have been duly rendere<l. 



As before remarked, these arrangements are but temporary, nor are they com 

 mensurate to the mass of labor which has to be done, or to the just expectatiou> 

 which are entertained in reference to it. More foi^e must be employed and niorr 

 varied talent than the means appropriated have enabled the institution to commaml. 

 With the experience which has been acquired, the conuuittee will if desired, under 

 the correcting hand of the Institution, submit to your consideration their views in 

 reference to the expenditures of any future appropriation. 



The funtls of the Institution are of two kinds. 



First, the amount derived from the annual tax ui>on mem1)ers 



Second, the amounts ai)propriated by Congress. 



The first is necessarily small, from the few nu'mbcrs lialde to the tax, and t br 

 amount of it, for each, $5 per animm ; and it is expended forrarc and necessary liooks, 

 necessary printing, cases, and other contingencies. 



The second has as yet been no more than $5, .500 and has been expended in the man 

 ner and for the purposes before indicated. We are now, however, without means, and 

 were it not that the individuals employed continue at the labor in the hope that t lie 

 Government will continue its patronage to its own property, the work of prei)ara 

 tion and arrangement would be suspended, as the most the Institution could do 

 fr(un its own funds would be to employ some one to take care of the collection. 



The object of the Institution is to " increase and to diffuse knowledge among men." 

 Its time and whatever talent it possesses are faithfully devoted to it. But its mem- 

 bers have occupations, private and public, Avhich can not be neglected, and they 

 have uot tUe wealth for voluntary contributions, We are therefore obliged to look 



