xX JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 
desire that “the action of the Regents in regard to the bequest should 
be attended by any financial burden to the Institution”. 
The announcement was made that a bequest of a medical library 
had been made to the Institution by Dr. Jonathan R. Bailey, of Olm- 
stead, Ky., but the books had not yet been received. 
A letter of thanks was submitted from Mrs. Cox, thanking the Board 
for the resolutions transmitted to her in regard to the death of her 
husband, the late honorable Samuel 8. Cox. 
The Secretary presented his annual report for the year ending June 
30, 1890, which, in accordance with the instructions of the Board, had 
been printed and distributed to the Regents. 
On motion the report was accepted. 
Dr. Welling presented the followiig: 
WHEREAS, The late George Bancroft was for several years a member 
of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and rendered 
useful service on its executive committee: Therefore, be it 
Resolved, That while, for obvious reasons of propriety, we should 
abstain at this time and in this place from any full or formal commemo- 
ration of the manifold titles to distinction which clustered around the 
head of our late illustrious colleague, we can not forbear from testifying 
the special gratitude we owe to him for the interest he ever took in the 
weltare of this Institution, nor can we forbear from associating our- 
selves with the grief of his fellow-citizens throughout the length and 
breadth of the land, now that, in the fullness of his years and in the 
fullness of his honors, he has been called to rest from the labors which 
brought to him such a revenue of fame, alike in the walks of high 
executive administration, of diplomacy, and of literature, 
The resolution was adopted by a rising vote. 
On motion, the Board then adjourned sine die, 
