JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS 
OF 
PER BOAR: Di Oak Ree Nase 
WASHINGTON, January 9, 1865. 
A special meeting of the Board of Regents was held this day at 7} o’clock 
p: m. in the hall of the Institution. Present: Hon. H. Hamlin, Hon. 5S. P. 
Chase, Hon. L. Trumbull, Hon. G. Davis, Hon. 8. S. Cox, Hon. J. W. Patter- 
son, Professor L. Agassiz, and the Secretary, Professor Henry. 
Mr. Hamlin was called to the chair. is 
The Secretary stated that this meeting had been called in accordance with 
a provision of the law of Congress authorizing a meeting at any time, at the 
request of three members of the Board. That the objects of this meeting were— 
First. To announee officially the death of Chief Justice Taney and General 
Totten, both members of the Board from the beginning of the Institution, and 
who had ever evinced a lively interest in its prosperity, and had faithfully dis- 
charged their duties as guardians of the trust. 
Second. To elect a Chancellor or President of the Board in place of Chief 
Justice Taney. 
Third. To consider the disposition to be made of the remainder of the legacy 
of Smithson, which was now deposited with Messrs. Peabody & Co., of London, 
subject to the order of the Institution; and, 
Fourth. To consider the report of the committee appointed at the last session 
of the Board, relative to the suggestions of Professor Agassiz as to the separate 
maintenance of the museum, &c. 
On motion of Mr. Cox, it was resolved that the proper expression of sympathy 
be tendered to the families of the Regents whose deaths have been announced, 
and that provision be made for the preparation of an account of their lives and 
labors for the annual report to Congress. 
On motion of Mr. Cox, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase was unanimously 
elected Chancellor of the Institution. 
On motion of Mr. Chase, the Secretary was instructed to draw the money now 
in England, and to deposit it with the Treasurer of the United States. 
Professor Agassiz, as chairman of the special committee, appointed at the 
meeting held March 15, 1864, to report suggestions for extending the active 
operations of the Institution, and for the separate maintenance of the collections, 
at the expense of the government, submitted a report.* 
* This report was lost in the fire, and the absence of Professor Agassiz from the country 
has rendered it impossible to obtain another copy in time for insertion in this journal. 
