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the National Institute, are matters of great moment for the public at 

 large, that I cannot resist the inclination which urges me to the task, 

 and cheers me with the hope that I may do some little good. I had 

 hoped to have been able to enter upon the discussion in this number ; 

 but having been induced by their cogency and merit to quote more of 

 the opinions and reasoning of the distinguished men with whom I am 

 proud to agree than I had first intended, I find that the limits which I 

 have prescribed for the length of these hasty essays will prevent me 

 from doing so at present. In my next I will, therefore, continue the 

 discussion, with a statement of my own views on the subject. 



I may be allowed to state, in conclusion, as connected with the ques- 

 tion, that a friend in this city has informed me that Mr. Rush has been 

 so good as to approve of the object and spirit of these letters, and to 

 express his warm hope that Congress will act efficiently in the matter 

 of the Smithsonian Bequest this session, and connect it, as proposed by 

 him already, with the National Institute. May his views and aspira- 

 tions be soon gratified and secured ! 



Yours, respectfully, 



J. C. B. 



THE SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 



LETTJSB No. VII. 



WASHINGTON, January 20, 1844. 



GENTLEMEN : I flatter myself that the distinguished witnesses I have 

 called before the tribunal of public opinion in my preceding numbers 

 will be deemed more than sufficient to prove that it was the pride and 

 policy of several of our most venerated Presidents to inculcate and fos- 

 ter education and the diffusion of knowledge ; that many of our most 

 prominent and patriotic statesmen and scholars attach great importance 

 to the subject of the Smithsonian Bequest, and several of them desire 

 its union with the National Institute, under certain conditions ; and that 

 they all agree in the opinion that the neglect on the part of this Go- 

 vernment to comply with the terms of the trust in question is a great 

 public wrong, and disreputable to the country at large. The following 

 extract, from a recent public journal, may be adduced as additional 

 proof, if proof be needed, to show how much injury a similar neglect, 

 or rather malfeasance in a city corporation, is working in the community. 

 It is termed " A consequence of violating Guard's will. Francis S, 



