29 



( our men of science ; and I cannot but indulge a hope that the public 

 ' generally will lend it a generous confidence and cordial co-operation 

 1 and thus supply what has long been to us, who occupy so high a rank 

 ' in the scale of civilization, no little reproach ; the want of some so- 

 ' ciety or institution which may -compare with those of other nations, 

 and sustain the reputation of our Republic in the great cause of scien- 

 tific investigation, in which no country can feel a deeper and more 

 abiding interest than our own, as every day discloses some new fact 

 illustrative of the extraordinary skill, energy, and ingenuity of our 

 citizens qualities in which they are equalled by few and surpassed 

 by no other people. If such be the case in our not very advanced 

 state of science, what important results might not be anticipated with 

 more extensive practical experiment and greater knowledge of abstract 

 science, and the collection and diffusion of minute economical in- 

 formation in connexion with the useful arts ?" 



But the following and concluding part of the letter refers directly to 

 the point under discussion, and deserves much respect and weight as 

 the expression of opinion on the part of an intelligent and liberal public 

 man. He continues : " While indulging in the patriotic sentiments, 

 ' which I believe are common to us all, it has occurred to me that per- 



* haps no better disposition could be made of the munificent bequest 



* to the United States by an enlightened foreigner for the establishment 

 1 of an institution at Washington for the f diffusion of knowledge among 

 ' men' than to place it under the direction of a society which has been 



* organized for the express purpose of carrying into effect similar, 

 ' and indeed I may add, identical views with those contemplated by the 

 ' philanthropical and philosophical testator. One among many reasons 

 '. that might be urged for this arrangement would be the securing in it3 



* favor the general, and, perhaps, universal influence of scientific men, 

 ' whose patriotic labors would thus be brought into active co-operation 



* with the Smithsonian Institution, whose funds would enable the So- 

 ' ciety to collect and diffuse throughout the United States a vast amount 

 ' of diversified and valuable information." 



Although the opinions and arguments, of which I have given select 

 fragments in the foregoing lines, would seem to render any further ob- 

 servation on my part almost an act of supererogation, yet such is the 

 deep interest I feel in the subject, and so strong rny conviction that the 

 speedy and faithful performance of the trust created under the Smith- 

 sonian bequest, and the confiding of the same to the partial control of 



