332 PROCEEDINGS OF [1843. 



From Dr. J. P. Betliell, Philadelphia, December 5, 1843. 



From Hon. John J. Hardin, of Illinois, House of Representatives, 

 December 7, 1843: Enclosing copy of an inscription from certain 

 brass plates, found in a mound at Kinderhook, Pike County, Illinois, 

 with remarks upon the discovery of them, &c. 



From Dr. Thomas Sewall, Washington, December 9, 1843: De- 

 scribing the steps he took in his late travels in Europe to promote 

 the objects of the National Institute, and enclosing a list of books, 

 &c., presented through him to the Institute. 



Special Meeting, December 2S, 1843. 



The Vice President stated that the object of the meeting was to 

 obtain the concurrence of the Institute in certain recent proceedings 

 of the Board of Management, at a meeting held by the Board, on the 

 23d inst. , at the office of the Secretary of State. 



The Recording Secretary read the proceedings referred to, which 

 are a.s follow : 



Preamble, by the Hon. Joseph R. IiigcrsoU, Secretary of the Meeting. 

 The early growth of the "National Institute for the Promotion of Science" has 

 been remarkable, both in degree and character. While it has gathered around it 

 an interest which is not confined to the immediate place of its establishment, or 

 even to the country which it is destined liereafter to adorn, it is indebted thus far 

 to individual favor alone for its support and advancement. It will readily be per- 

 ceived how inadequate to these objects are its precarious resources. The very libe- 

 rality which in continual bounty provides for it objects which are adapted to its 

 character and are well calculated in themselves to promote its usefulness, heroines 

 a burden when means are wanting to give to the fruits of benevolence a reception 

 and display corresponding with their variety and value. A monthly record of con- 

 tributions reflects honor upon the kindness and public spirit of the donors, whoso 

 numbers are daily increasing, and whose good will knows no bounds. But tliB 

 proofs of their taste and kind feeling are imperfectly provided for, and sometimes 

 altogether neglected, from the narrow fortunes of the infant establishment. Thoro 

 is no ascertained place of permanent or even secure deposit. There is no fund 

 from which supplies, in any degree proportioned to daily necessities, can be derived. 

 A few voluntary contributors to a precarious and inadequate treasury, have furnish- 

 ed, as they might bo able, a portion of tiie expenses which are required, and have, 

 in many instances, received into their care, for the moment, objecls of interest 

 which could not be provided for elsewhere. 



With such disadvantages as have been adverted to, the experiment has been 

 fairly made. It never was expected that a National Establishment could subsist 

 upon individual bounty alone. When it shall have derived dignity and confidence 

 from the permanent encouragement of the Congress of the United States, it may 

 well be hoped that private munificence will frequently pour out its stores, and that 

 a laudable pride will be felt in mingling personal associations and favors with tho 

 steady support contributed by tho Government. A period has now arrived, when 

 legislative assistance may be expected without arrogance, and sought without pre. 

 sumption. They who hoped to behold, in the fullness of time, an institution of 

 rich endowment and established utility, wore perfectly willing to incur all tho 

 Jiazards of the experiment. Having done so, not without occasional effort, and 

 even loss, they embrace the occasion of appealing at onco to the sympathies of the 

 pablic and the patronage of tho Government. 



This body, at first the cherished hope of a small number of persona at tho scat of 

 the General Government, and soon to become the expanded reality? of national 



