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' itself in the lapse of future ages around the name of Smilhson than 

 i the united hands of tradition, history, and poetry have braided around 

 ' the name of Percy, through the long perspective in ages past of a 

 ' thousand years." 



To this well-deserved and glowing eulogy of a man who has proved 

 himself a true philanthropist and lover of mankind, there should be 

 but one response, and that of approbation. To his high opinion of 

 republican institutions, and his remembrance of the great ends he 

 adopted in his will, we should afford an efficient and prompt attention, 

 this being the very best of all methods to show to the world that we are 

 worthy of the sublime compliment paid to our country. 



In the words of the report, " of all the foundations of establishments 

 ' for pious or charitable uses, which ever signalized the spirit of the 

 ( age, or the comprehensive beneficence of the founder, none can be 



* named more deserving of the approbation of mankind than this 

 ' Should it be faithfully carried into effect, with an earnestness and sa- 



* gacity of application, and a steady perseverance of pursuit, propor- 

 c tioned to the means furnished by the will of the founder, and to the 

 { greatness and simplicity of his design, as by himself declared, * the 

 ' increase and diffusion of knowledge among men/ it is no extrava- 

 ' gance of anticipation to declare that his name will be hereafter enrolled 

 ' among the eminent benefactors of mankind." 



The report goes on then to enforce the sacred nature of the charge 

 entrusted to the Government of the United States, and to insist upon 

 the necessity of a faithful compliance with the conditions of the will, 

 and a judicious employment of the fund so received in trust. "In the 

 ' commission of every trust," says the chairman, " there is an implied 

 { tribute of the soul to the integrity and intelligence of the trustee ; and 

 ' there is also an implied call for the faithful exercise of those proper- 

 ' ties to the fulfilment of the purpose of the trust. The tribute and the 

 ' call acquire additional force and energy when the trust is committed 

 ' for performance after the decease of him by whom it is granted when 

 ' he no longer exists to witness or to constrain the effective fulfilment 

 ' of his design. The magnitude of the trust, and the extent of con- 

 1 fidence bestowed on the committal of it, do but enlarge and aggravate 



* the pressure of the obligation which it carries with it. The weight of 

 ' the duty imposed, is proportioned to the honor conferred by confidence 

 ' without reserve. Your committee are fully persuaded, therefore, that, 

 ' with a grateful sense of the honor conferred by the testator upon the 



