130 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



January 19, 1836. House. 



Mr. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, from the committee appointed on the 

 message of the President of the United States of the 17th of Decem- 

 ber ultimo, and which was laid before the House on the 21st, com- 

 municating information in relation to a bequest made by James Smith- 

 son, late of London, in the Kingdom of Great Britain, deceased, to the 

 United States, for the purpose of establishing a seminary of learning, 

 reported (by leave) a bill (H. No. 187) to authorize the President of 

 the United States to assert and prosecute with effect the right of the 

 United States to the bequest of James Smithson, late of London, 

 deceased, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowl- 

 edge among men, accompanied by a report in writing; which bill was 

 read the first and second time and committed to the Committee of the 

 Whole House on the state of the Union. 



The following is the report: 



The select committee to which was referred the message of the Presi- 

 dent of the United States of the 17th of December last, with docu- 

 ments relating to the bequest of James Smithson, of London, to the 

 United States of America, for the purpose of founding at Washing- 

 ton an establishment, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, respectfully 

 report: 



That, from the papers transmitted to Congress with the message of 

 the President, it appears that James Smithson, a foreigner, of noble 

 family and of affluent fortune, did, by his last will and testament, made 

 in the year 1826, bequeath, under certain contingencies, which have 

 since been realized, and with certain exceptions, for which provision 

 was made by the same will, the whole of his property, of an amount 

 exceeding four hundred thousand dollars, to the United States of 

 America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men. 



To the acceptance of this bequest, and to the assumption and fulfill- 

 ment of the high and honorable duties involved in the performance of 

 the trust committed with it, the Congress of the United States, in their 

 legislative capacity, are alone competent. Your committee believe 

 not only that they are thus competent, but that it is enjoined upon 

 them by considerations of the most imperious and indispensable obliga- 

 tion. The first steps necessary to be taken for carrying into effect the 

 benevolent intentions of the testator must be to obtain the possession 

 of the funds, now held by the Messrs. Drummonds, bankers in London, 

 executors of Mr. Smithson's will, and subject to the superintendence, 

 custody, and adjudication of the lord chancellor of England. To 



