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" There can be no doubt that a National Institution, such as we contempiatc, 

 having at its command an Observatory, a Museum containing collections of all the 

 productions of nature, a Botanic and Zoological Garden, and the necessary appara- 

 tus for illustrating every branch of Physical Science, would attract together men of 

 learning and students from every part of our country, would open new avenues of 

 intelligence throughout the whole of its vast extent, and would contribute largely 

 to disseminate among the people the truths of nature and the light of science. 



«' A fortunate concurrence of circumstances offers a favorable occasion to carry all 

 these important objects into immediate effect. A liberal and enlightened English- 

 man, foreseeing the benefits which would result to science throughout the world, 

 by its successful cultivation in the vast and extensive field offered by these States 

 and Territories, with enlarged views and praiseworthy philanthropy, has bequeathed 

 a fund to be employed for the sacred purposes of increasing and diffusing knowledge 

 among men. This bequest will enable the Government to afford all necessary 

 protection to the promotion of science and the useful arts, without the exercise of 

 any doubtful power, by the application of the annual interest of this fund to the 

 establishment of an Observatory, the erection of suitable buildings to contain the 

 collections, and for lecture rooms, the purchase of books and instruments, and the 

 salaries of professors and curators. Specimens of natural history are rapidly ac- 

 cumulating. The exploring e;cpedition has already sent home a large collection, 

 which remains packed away in boxes in a room belonging to the Philadelphia mu- 

 seum, generously loaned by the company for that purpose ; and we may anticipate, 

 from the ability and well known zeal of the Naturalists who accompanied it by order 

 of the Government, that the squadron itself, shortly expected, will return richly 

 freighted with objects of Natural History. I cannot believe that after all the labor, 

 pains, and expense incurred in procuring them, these specimens arc not to be 

 brought to Washington to be arranged and exhibited here. A Geological survey 

 of the Territory of Iowa was made a few months since, by order of the Govern- 

 ment, and numerous valuable specimens collected by Mr. Owen. Mr. Nicolet has 

 brought with him interesting collections made in the country he visit«d, and Doc- 

 tor King, of Missouri, lately sent to the Lead Region on business connected with the 

 Ordnance office, while there collected specimens of Minerals which are likewise des- 

 tined for Washington. The Ordnance Officers who have lately returned from Ed- 

 rope, have brought with them numerous specimens of the Iron ores used in the 

 foun'daries there, and measures have been taken to procure, as objects of compari- 

 son, those of the United States. 



"Several individuals have transmitted donations to the Institution, while others 

 have deposited their collections with us, from a desire to have them preserved, and 

 at the same lime to benefit science. We have reason to believe that this will be 

 extensively done as soon as the Institution is firmly established. There are many 

 of our countrymen who, like Sir Hans Sloan, the founder of the British museum, 

 look forward with regret to the sale and dispersion of their collections, made at 

 great cost and pains, and desiring to have them preserved entire, would deposit 

 them with an institution which will be as stable as the Government that protects it. 



