452 PROCEEDINGS OF 



It is a gralifyiiig reflection, that llie General Governiiicnl has seldom been back, 

 ward in i7)aking researches and collections. At times, it has been lavish in such 

 OS were suited to advance the great interests of commerce, or the value and sale of 

 its public lands, or a wise legislation over the numerous Indian tribes under its 

 paternal guardianship. Il has in this way made its navy assist to explore, not 

 only our own shores and seas, but the most distant regions — its army note tem- 

 peratures and winds, as well as examine river."!, and mountains, and prairies, from 

 the Atlantic to the Pacific — its geologists scrutinize soils and quarries — its astrono- 

 rners survey our coasts — and its engineers measure cataracts and lakes, harbors, 

 canals, and railroads, till tlie public offices overflow with specimens of their useful 

 labors. But how little will be the use of much of them under the yearly ravages 

 of time, unless, by public associations like the Institute, science is kept up here at 

 a standard high enough to appreciate the importance of such labors, and to enlist 

 with zeal in their preservation and diffusion. As a single instance out of many, 

 what will be the utility of most collected by the late exploring expedition, plough- 

 ing, as it did, " so rich a furrow round the globe," if all the gathered treasures 

 are not carefully preserved and exhibited, in a useful manner, to the inspection of 

 the learned, and the liberal curiosity of the people at large. Even commerce 

 itself, which is made so prominent an object in the constitution, no less than in 

 our legislation, and which is so justly considered the pioneer of civilization and 

 wealth in all ages, would seem to lose half its charms, if it were cherished without 

 any regard to intellectual improvement, and were looked after with a view merely to 

 procure new luxuries, cr new means of corrupt indulgence, rather than, as the 

 great instrument to interchange letters, and arts, and curiosities ; and, beside new 

 inventions, new machinery, new fruits, plants, and animals, to send home every 

 thing calculated to increase that knowledge, which is a power so much nobler 

 than mere wealth or political dominion. Few can doubt, that while the Govern- 

 ment continues to lend efficient aid to such objects, through its protection of com- 

 merce, and encourages the improvement of mankind by copy-rights for new books, 

 and patents for all useful discoveries; and while, in the promotion of similar 

 objects, it establishes naval and military schools, and forms congressional and law 

 libraries — few can doubt its power, any more than its glory, to discharge well such 

 important trusts through any agents which are most appropriate. While the col- 

 lections in natural history, and the curiosities were few, not much skill, time or 

 expense was required to take care of them. But the Government has always been 

 obliged to furnish some of each of these for that object. Now, that the articles to 

 be arranged and preserved have been multiplied greatly, more science, as well as 

 expense, are required; and, to use the Institute for such a purpose, at the seal of 

 Government, within the District of Columbia, is only to continue to defray the ox- 

 pcnso of taking care of these articles ; and that by persons possessing a taste, intel- 

 ligence, and zeal, in respect to such matters, which give a strong assurance of 

 fidelity and success. 



But I am extending this communication too far. Allow me to add, however, 

 before closing, another circumstance, which, with some, may have peculiar weight. 

 The members of the Institute have never desired to render the collections in their 

 charge matters of private property or private emolument; and so far as I am ac- 

 quainted with their views, not one would object tliat their collections and speci- 

 mens, if not now public property, should be made so expressly by law, and be thuf 

 dedicated exclusively to public purposes of science and letters. 



