34 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 
original research in the various branches of knowledge, and had doubt- 
less a proper appreciation of the good which might be effected by 
founding an institution especially adapted to advance this object. 
He accordingly intrusted his property to the United States to found 
an establishment ‘‘ under the name of the Smithsonian Institution for the 
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’’ He evidently did not 
intend by these precise terms to found a library or a mere museum 
for the diffusion of popular information to a limited community, but 
a cosmopolitan establishment. to increase the swm of human knowledge 
and to diffuse this to every part of the civilized world. No other 
interpretation of the will is either in accordance with the terms em- 
ployed or with the character and habits of the founder. The in- 
crease of human knowledge, by which we must understand additions 
to its sum, would be of but little value without its diffusion, and to 
limit the latter to one city, or even to one country, would be an in- 
vidious restriction of the term men. These views, so evident to 
minds especially devoted to science, were not at once apparent to 
those whose studies and pursuits had been chiefly confined to litera- 
ture or public affairs. The first scheme which was presented in re- 
gard to the character of the future institution proposed that it should 
assume the form of a university, but this idea was shown to be er- 
roneous by the Hon. J. Q. Adams, who pointed out the fact that the 
object of a university was not to increase knowledge, but to diffuse 
that which already exists. The next proposition, which had many 
advocates, was that of a large library or museum; but these objects 
are in a measure local in their influence and tend, like the former, to 
promote rather the diffusion than the increase of knowledge. 
From this diversity of opinion as to the character of the proposed 
Institution, or from whatever other causes, the bequest was suffered 
to remain inoperative for eight years. It was not until 1846 that 
Congress passed the act of organization under which the Institution 
has since continued in operation. 
This act directs that provision be made for a library, museum, and 
gallery of art, in a suitable building of plain and durable materials, and 
after these and some other general indications of the views of the 
legislature, leaves it discretionary with the Board of Regents to 
adopt such further measures for promoting the common purpose as 
might seem, in their judgment, best to comport with the terms of the 
donation. 
I may be permitted to state, without giving undue prominence to 
my own part in the organization, that immediately after the passage 
