350 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1891. 



to tiheGoverunient for aid iu funds. In other countries, where, although ]iul)lic spirit 

 may not be, individual wealth is so much greater, no institution of the kind has ever 

 succeeded without Government patronage. How much more necessary, then, is such 

 patronage Avith us. And the more justitiable and necessary will this patronage ap- 

 pear when the reflection is made that the greater jiart of the ])roperty under our care 

 already belongs to the C4overumeut, and that all donations, collections, and pur- 

 chases by the funds of the Institution must by our coustitution eventually take the 

 same course. The Institution 's but a curator for the Government, voluntarily be- 

 stowing its time and talents to objects which can not fail to increase national fame, 

 to elevate national character, and to promote the design of the great philanthropist 

 to "increase and to diffuse knowledge among men." 



We therefore respectfully but ((mtidently address you as directors of the Institu- 

 tion and as heads of the departnu^uts under which former appropriations were ex- 

 pended and solicit your efforts to obtain further Government aid. 



There are two ]ioints to which we are anxious to draw your particular attention. 

 One is an appropriation from Congress for preparing and arranging the Goverumenf 

 collection; the other i'or additional space. The hrst is absolutely necessary, for, as 

 before remarked, former ap^jropriations are exhaiisted. and the tvork must be al>an- 

 doned if more is not granted. We consider that about $20,000 is required for the 

 active and correct prosecution of the work during the year 184L'. More labor must 

 be applied, and more varied talent be employed; and we believe it will not be ex- 

 pected that these reciuisites are to be obtained without a proper consideration. The 

 committee pledge themselves to a faithful superintendence of the expenditures, and 

 to a faithful account of it. 



The second is equally necessary. We want space properly to exhibit the sjteci- 

 mens. We acknowledge that our occupatiiui of the half of the room assigned to tlit 

 Institution is but temporary, and that we must look forward to the period when the 

 Avhole room will be required for other purposes, and while our occupation is of this 

 character, we are also, and everyone must be impressed with the conviction that 

 our arraugements can not assume that scientific and permanent character which 

 will be their ultimate condition. Our present labors must therefore be preliminary 

 to a permanent and scientific arrangement, labors, however, not lost as they would 

 be necessarily under any circumstances. But to execute these properly more space 

 is required, and also the uncontrolled occupation of the whole room. This space is 

 the more necessary from the very preliminary character of present labors, as the 

 room has to be a workshop as well as an exhibition room. We make this recjuest 

 from a thorough conviction of its necessity, and from the belief, if granted, it would 

 not inconnnode the Patfut Office. And to prevent misapprehension, we will take 

 this ojqiortunity to stale that from the superiuteu<lent of that office the Institution 

 has received those accommodations and facilities which might justly be anticipated 

 from a gentleman of his known urljanity and intelligence. 



.1. .1. Aberi, 

 A. O. Dayton, 

 Francis Markoe, .Jr., 



Committee. 



NOTE B. 



REPORT UPON THE MATERIALS IN THE INSTITUTE. 



l!y I'r. ricKKKLNii, Hi . 1>ANA, Dr. Hai.k, aiid Mr. Bkackenridmk. 



On the 12tli of September last 1 received the charge of the collections of fhe Nfi- 

 tional Institute, and the hall was soon after placed at my disposal by ai^ order fropi 

 fhe State De)>artment. My time has since been chiefly pccupied in general pjaug fif 



