TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS, 1837-1839. 181 



And why this new method of appointment? Is there anything of this 

 in connection with the Georgetown College or the Columbian College ? 

 Does not this point out this new institution to be a national institution ? 

 Every branch of the Government is to be represented (except the judi- 

 ciary), and these representatives are to have the power to appoint a 

 printer to that board of trustees, and to fix his compensation, and also 

 a clerk, and to fix his compensation; and they are to have power to 

 make regulations for their own government, and they will be com- 

 pelled to meet at least once during the recess of Congress, and as much 

 of tener as they please; and for what? I speak now of the practical 

 operation of the measure. In Pennsylvania a bequest has been made 

 and appropriated to a similar purpose; and have any of us failed to 

 hear of the abuses of that bequest in the engrafting of offices and 

 incomes upon it? And what will be the income of this Smithsonian 

 fund? It will be $25,000 or $30,000, out of which you must pay your 

 commission, printer, and clerk; and how much do you suppose you 

 will have of the product of the fund for the diffusion of knowledge 

 among mankind? And is it necessary that a commission should sit 

 eight or nine months to frame a bill ? This is something which has 

 not been practiced heretofore; and is it wise to pass such a bill? It is 

 with great caution that Congress should proceed on that subject, but 

 I see no necessity for taxing this charity with the expenses growing 

 out of this bill for the simple purpose of presenting to Congress the 

 form of an incorporation; and I ask those who argue that this Institu- 

 tion is to be established for this District as a college, whether they can 

 vote for this bill. 



On motion by Mr. HENRY HUBBARD, that the bill lie on the table, 

 it was determined in the affirmative yeas, 20; nays, 15". 



On motion by Mr. HUBBARD, the yeas and nays being desired by 

 one-fifth of the Senators present; those who voted in the affirmative 

 were: 



Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Benton, Brown, Calhoun, Clay of Alabama, 

 Hubbard, King, Lyon, Morris, Mouton, Niles, Norvell, Roane, Rob- 

 nson, Smith of Connecticut, Strange, Williams of Maine, Williams 

 of Mississippi, Wright. 



Those who voted in the negative were: 



Messrs. Clay of Kentucky, Davis, Fulton, Knight, Linn, Merrick, 

 Prentiss, Preston, Rives, Robbins, Ruggles, Sevier, Smith of Indiana, 

 Walker, Young. 



Ordered to lie on the table. 

 February 28, 1839 Senate. 



Mr. ASHER ROBBINS submitted a motion: 



Resolved by the Senate, That the mayor and city council of the city of Washington 

 be, and hereby are, authorized to prepare and report a plan of an institution, to be 



