136 PROCEEDINGS OF [Jail. 



From N. S. Jarvis, Surgeon U. S. Army, Fort Jesup : Express- 

 ing a purpose of forwarding to the Institution other objects of natural 

 history, in addition to those aheady presented by him through Col. 

 Abert. 



From James M. Allen, M. D., Albany: Offering geological spe- 

 cimens, and expressing a wish to contribute to the objects of the Na- 

 tional Institution. 



From John H. B. Latrobe, Baltimore : 



Baltimore, December 18, 1841. 



Dear Sir : When it was determined to fix the seat of Government of tlie United 

 States at Washington, a premium was oifered for a design for the public buildings, 

 and there came in consequence, from all quarters, productions of the then archi- 

 tectural ability of the United States. These fell into my father's possession while 

 he was engaged in building the Capitol, in the early part of the present century. 

 Whether he found them already collected, or whether he gathered them together 

 from time to time, I do not know ; but they now fill a large portfolio, which has 

 come into my hands, along with the rest of my father's papers, since liis death. 

 As specimens of the fine arts, the designs, whether on the score of plan or drawing, 

 are generally below mediocrity, and some are infinitely and amusingly preposterous ; 

 but as facts in the history of the arts in America, they have a value which makes 

 a public depository for them belter than the library of a private individual ; nor do 

 I know where I can, with more propriety, offer them, than to the National Institu- 

 tion. The purpose of addressing you, therefore, is to ask you to tender to that In- 

 stitution the portfolio of drawings in question ; and if it shall be deemed worthy of 

 acceptance, I will have it sent to W^ashington. In making this offer, I do it as well 

 on behalf of my brother, Benjamin H. Latrobe, as myself. 



I have spoken above of a premium having been offered for a design. I would 



add that on this point I may be mistaken. The drawings, however, speak for tlicm- 



sclves. I am, respectfully and truly, 



JNO. H. B. LATROBE. 



From the Hon. L. F. Linn, United States Senator from Missouri, 



enclosing the following correspondence : 



Marly le Rov, Septemher 28, 1841. 

 Sir: I hasten to send you the enclosed copy of a letter whirli I have just re- 

 ceived from Mons. Dufresnoy, " Chief Engineer and Director of the Royal School 

 of Mines," and one of the most eminent mineralogists of our age — an impartial man 

 whom nothing can bias. The opinion of such a man will, I think, bo of immense 

 advantage to the State of Missouri, and will remove many of the difficulties which 

 may be encountered in the explorations of its precious mines. I am laboring with 

 the same activity and ardor, as you well know, to establish b(jtwocn my country 

 and yours, relations which shall more and more slrcngthuu, and finally consoUdato 

 the bond of union between the two nations — relations based upon tho sciences, the 

 arts, and religion. If you ever have occasion lo spoak to your brother {Senators of 



I 



