1843.] 



THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 



335 



The Hon. Mr. Upshur then desired that, preparatory to his offer of certain reso- 

 lutions, two circulars, heretofore issued, might be read. They are as follows : 



Extract from the Proceedings of the National Institute for the Promotion of 



Science. 

 At a stated meeting of the National Institute held on the 13th of June, 1842, 

 the Hon. John C. Spencer, Secretary of War, and one of the Directors of the Na. 

 tional Institute on the part of the' Government, submitted the following resolu- 



tion : L J ■ 



Resohed, That the President do appoint a committee of five members to devise 

 and execute such measures as may be most effectual to invite the liberality and pub. 

 lie spirit of our countrymen in aid of this Institute, and to oblam contributions in 

 money, property, and such articles as are adapted to its purposes. 



Whereupon, the resolution having been adopted, the following members were ap- 

 pointed by the Chair to constitute the committee. 



The Hon. John C. Spencer, Secretary of War, Chairman. 

 The Hon. W. C. Preston, U. S. Senate, South Carolina. 

 The Hon. Lewis F. Linn, U. S. Senate, Missouri. 

 The Hon. J. R. IngersoU, House of Representatives, Philadelphia. 

 The Hon. Abbott Lawrence, Boston. 

 At a subsequent stated meeting held on the 8th of August, the chairman of the 

 above committee, on its behalf, made the following report of ils proceedings, Willi 

 a verbal explanation of the several portions of the report. 



The committee appointed to devise and execute such measures as should ba 

 deemed expedient to obtain contributions and other aid to the Institute would 

 make an informal report. 



They propose making an appeal to the public, by disseminating an account of 

 the Institute, its past efforts, ils condition, and its prospects, and an exhibition of 

 the many reasons why it should be sustained and encouraged by the citizens of tho 

 United States. In their judgment the best means of doing this will be the publica- 

 tion of the remarks addressed to the Institute by the Hon. Mr. Preston, Senator 

 from South Carolina, on the evening of the 13lh of June last. 



They also propose to address circulars to prominent individuals in the different 

 States, inviting thoir co-operation, particularly in receiving and transmitting con- 

 tributions. 



They recommend that the Institute authorize the President and Secretaries to 

 sanction their circulars by their official signatures. 



They propose that a meeting of the learned men of our country, distinguished 

 for their attainments in the different siences, particularly in those termed physical, 

 should be held annually at the seat of the General Government, at some early pe- 

 riod of the session of Congress, under the auspices of the Institute, to communi- 

 cate the results of their inquiries, to compare their observations, and to promoto 

 the general interests of science. It has seemed to the committee that this Insti- 

 lute affords an opportunity, which ought not to be neglected, of concentrating the 

 genius and learning of our country at a common centre, from which the beams of 

 intelligence will radiate to gladden and bless the land. 



They recommend that, in addition to the powers already conferred, the commit- 

 tee be authorized to make arrangements for such a meeting, at a day as early as 

 may be found practicable, and to invite the atlendance of those who may desire to 

 participate in its proceedings. 



They think that a system of exchanges of mineral and geological specimens, and 

 perhaps of other articles, with the private and public collections in different parts 

 of the Union, may be established with reciprocal adviinlage ; and that the Museum 

 of this Institute may, by these; and other means, be enabled in time to exhibit the^ 

 various treasures of our different soils; and they would suggest the appointment ot 

 a committee to whom this subject should be given specially in charge. 



JOHN C. SPENCER, Chairman. 

 Whereupon, at the stated meeeting of the Institute, hold on the 12th ofSeptem- 

 ber, 1842, the foregoing report having been called up for further action, tho follow, 

 ing resolutions, intended to carrv out the views of the committne, as described in 

 thoir informal report, wore submitted by the Hon. .lool R. Poinsett, President of the 

 Institute, end adopted : 



