204 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



As a commercial and navigating nation, they stand already in the first 

 rank of Christian communities. To the science of geography, so far 

 as it can be improved by adventurous enterprise in exploring the 

 unfrequented paths of every ocean, they have contributed their share 

 of private and individual exertion. The expedition now floating upon 

 a distent sea in search of new discoveries upon the surface of the 

 globe, affords a signal testimonial of the interest taken by this Gov- 

 ernment in the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge. 

 Nor has astronomy been wholly neglected in the instructions given for 

 the conduct of the expedition. But there exists no permanent estab- 

 lishment throughout the Union for systematic continual observation 

 of the phenomena of the heavens; for the mathematical calculations to 

 furnish the practical results of observation; and for periodical publi- 

 cation, for the benefit of the commercial, navigating, and scientific 

 world, of the fruits of this combined observation and calculation. To 

 supply this deficiency, the bequest of James Smithson fortunately 

 furnishes the means, without needing the assistance of any contribu- 

 tion from the public funds of the nation. Should the Government of 

 the Union, responding to an impulse of emulation in laudable pursuits 

 which may be kindled in the minds of this ambitious people by suc- 

 cessful results in the application of the Smithsonian funds, hereafter 

 be disposed to appropriate some portion of the moneys levied upon 

 the people themselves to the advancement of astronomical or geo- 

 graphical knowledge, there will be ample field for demonstrating to 

 the world that the United States of America were not only worthy of 

 the honor done them by a generous foreigner in selecting them as 

 the administrators of his bequest for the improvement of the condition 

 of man, but that the American people themselves will require a liberal 

 application of their own revenues, levied upon themselves, to the same 

 lofty-spirited purpose. The committee are of opinion that it will 

 be expedient to keep the Smithsonian bequest within itself, resting 

 upon its own resources, and reserving to the memory of the founder 

 himself whatever of credit or of gratitude may be due to the success- 

 ful accomplishment of his benevolent design. Not a ray of glory can 

 be concentrated upon him but will be reflected back upon those whom 

 he selected as his administrators and trustees. 



With these observations, the committee submit the bill and proposed 

 amendments to the consideration of the House: 



SECTION 1 . Be it enacted etc.., That the Vice-Preaident of the United States, the Chief 

 Justice of the United States, the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of War, and 

 of the Navy, the Attorney-General of the United States, and the mayor of the city 

 of Washington, all during the time when they shall hold their respective offices, 

 together with three members of the Senate and four members of the House of Rep- 

 resentatives, to be annually elected by their respective Houses on the second Wednes- 

 day of December, and to continue in office until others are elected in their stead, 

 shall be, and hereby are, constituted a body politic and corporate, by the style and 



