12 



and abroad ; and I would suggest that, by way of a beginning, they sliould write 

 to those of America, soliciting their correspondence. 



Amongst the officers of your society, those of whom most activity is expected 

 are your secretaries. You will, therefore, of course, choose none to those offices 

 but the most active, zealous, and capable of your members. But all must put 

 their shoulders to the wheel, particularly in the beginning, and until the institu- 

 tion is well established and consolidated. 



That will be the work of time. Your institution embraces the whole circle of 

 human science; therefore there are innumerable sources from which you may ex- 

 pect aid. But that aid is at first difficult to be obtained. I wish, therefore, you 

 would think of some method to obtain it. The American Philosophical Society 

 has found great benefit from the publication of a periodical bulletin of its proceed" 

 ings, which is disseminated through all the learned world. Before that, they found 

 much 'difficulty in obtaining communications from the learned, to be inserted in 

 their transactions. The reason was, that it was not known how soon those com- 

 munications might appear before the world. Fame, next to the consciousness of 

 doing good, is the best reward of men of science, and they love to see their names 

 and their production."! made known to the public ; but now, although some time 

 elapses before their articles are published at large, yet, as they are noticed, and a 

 short analysis given of them in the Bulletin, this satisfies them so well that the so- 

 ciety are never ,it a loss for materials for publication. Your society might no' 

 probably publish those bulletins immediately, on account of the expense ; but some 

 •sketches of your proceedings might appear, from time to time, in one of your pa- 

 pers, 30 as to keep your institution always before the world, which appears to be 

 necessary for its continued 'existence. 



As I have spoken of expense, I must now touch upon a subject which appears 

 to me of the highest importance, and of which it might, perhaps, be thought pre- 

 surapturus in me to speak. I doubt much whether you can ultimately succeed 

 without the aid of the Government. Were there nothing but your current expen- 

 ses in the printing of your Bulletin, and ultimately of Transactions, which I hope 

 you have in view, money will be indispensably wanted. I have, in the beginning 

 of this letter, explained that I think the Government is interested in assisting you, 

 and I believe that they have the means fully in their power. I have always been 

 of opinion that it was such an institution as yours, at the seat of Government, that 

 Mr. Smithson had in view when he made his munificent legacy to the United 

 Slates. He could not mean, in my opinion, that his money should be applied to 

 the promotion of any specific branch of knowledge, much less to the foundation of 

 a School or an Academy. His views were more extensive. He wished to promote 

 Science in all its branches and departments, and, therefore, he wished his institu- 

 tion to be fixed at the seat of Government ; from whence, as from a centre, the 

 rays of Science might be diffused throughout the whole country. And, therefore, 

 Congress cannot find a better opportunity to execute the will of that beneficent 

 tettator than by laying hold of your institution, and making it its own. 



Here let me be understood. I do not mean that Congress should immediately 



