ADDRESS OF PROF. S. NEWCOMB. 459 



Mr. Rufus Choate, who had been the most active supporter of 

 Mr. Jewett and the library scheme, now resigned his position as 

 Regent, and accompanied his resignation with a letter addressed to 

 the Senate and House of Representatives, stating his reasons for 

 the course he had taken, and expressing the opinion that the Smith- 

 sonian fund was being managed on a system not in accordance with 

 the provisions of the organic act. In the Senate the subject was 

 referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, which made a unani- 

 mous report in favor of the majority of the Board of Regents. In 

 the House there was a more serious contest. Mr. Choate's letter 

 was referred to a select committee of five, appointed to inquire and 

 report to the House whether the Smithsonian Institution had been 

 managed and its funds expended in accordance with law, and 

 whether any additional legislation was necessary. After a careful 

 examination, extending through a period of six weeks, the com- 

 mittee seems to have been unable to agree upon a report. Two 

 reports were, in fact, made. One, signed only by Mr. Upham, the 

 chairman, took ground against the power of removal by the Secre- 

 tary of the Institution, and against the restriction of the increase 

 of the library as contemplated. Another very elaborate report, 

 signed by two members, sustained the Secretary and the majority 

 of the Board. The remaining two members of the committee 

 signed neither report ; nor did either report propose any action on 

 the part of Congress except the payment of the clerk of the com- 

 mittee. 



The contest which had been going on for a period of seventeen 

 years thus ended in a complete vindication of Professor Henry 

 and the position he had assumed. During the remainder of his life 

 he had the great satisfaction of feeling that he was held in con- 

 stantly increasing esteem both by the Regents and the public.* 



In January, 1865, an event occurred which, though an almost 

 irreparable calamity, tended materially toward the appropriation of 

 the Smithsonian income toward those objects which the Secretary 

 thought most proper. A considerable portion of the upper story 



* As an expression of Professor HENRY'S views in his own language we append 

 to this address an extract from his examination before the English Government 

 Scientific Commission. 



