I propose, therefore, with your approbation, to devote a brief space 

 to the History of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science, 

 with such reflections as may be suggested by the treatment of the sub- 

 ject ; to enter into some detail in relation to the National Observatory, 

 under the superintendence of Lieutenant Gillis, of our Navy, and that 

 of Georgetown College, assigned to the care of the Rev. Mr. Curley, 

 both in course of construction ; to urge the necessity, justice, and policy 

 of some final and prompt action on the part of Congress in the matter 

 of the Smithsonian Bequest, recommended especially by the President 

 to that body, and the propriety and expediency of entrusting, under 

 proper control, the execution of that sacred legacy to the National In- 

 stil ute ; to show that the inhabitants of this District, if alive to their 

 own interests and desirous of doing good to the community at large, 

 should support and foster, by pecuniary and other aid, the said associa- 

 tion, and throw their weight into any effort which may be made to 

 obtain for it the life-giving notice of Congress. 



Having treated these matters as fully as I may deem it necessary 

 and appropriate, I shall then proceed to the discussion of other inci- 

 dental subjects interesting to the District and the country. 



In the performance of this duty it shall be my study to refrain from 

 any remarks calculated to give reasonable offence in any quarter, and I 

 shall carefully abstain from any allusion to the local or general politics 

 now agitating the people. 



I trust to be able to prove that a liberal policy towards this District, 

 on the part of the Representatives of the Republic, will result in a per- 

 manent and real advantage to the whole nation ; and that the outlay 

 of money and fostering care asked for by our public spirited Chief 

 Magistrate will redound to its honor as well as profit. 



It is, therefore, from the impression that it is important for the people 

 at large to have their notice attracted to the subject, and from the kind- 

 ness and liberality with which you have opened your columns to scien- 

 tific, literary, and general topics, that I have applied to you to aid me 

 in the performance of my task. But, as your journal will be crowded 

 with matter during the session, I shall take care to make my articles 

 brief and to the point. 



With this hasty sketch of my plan, I shall conclude for the present 

 by observing that my next article will be devoted to a condensed notice 

 of the National Institute ; the examination of the expediency of its 

 being entrusted with the execution of the Smithsonian Bequest, and 



