TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS, 1845-1847. 335 



Thus we are not legally accountable. The heavier, for that very 

 reason, is our moral responsibility. The gambler, beyond the pale of 

 the law, commonly retains honor enough to meet his promises. We 

 have less than the gambler's honor if, sheltered behind our sovereignty, 

 we take advantage of the impunity it affords and become unfaithful to 

 a high and imperative duty. 



I impute not to an American Congress 1 attribute not to any of 

 my fellow-members the deliberate intention to neglect the objects of 

 this trust. There is, doubtless there always has been, a right feeling 

 on this subject. The just cause of complaint is that this right feeling, 

 like many other good intentions in this world, has never ripened into 

 action. tw When you feel nobly and intend well, go and do some- 

 thing! Do some good; it avails nothing merely to think about it." 

 Such were the words pronounced from yonder desk by a teacher 

 whose impressive eloquence recently filled this hall. I thought of the 

 Smithsonian bequest when I heard them. 



Nor is it difficult to distinguish the reason, though it furnish no 

 sufficient apology for this prolonged inaction. It is to be ascribed, 

 though in part to indifference, yet chiefly to the difficulty of selecting 

 between various and conflicting plans. The words of the will, liberal 

 and comprehensive, do not indicate the specific mode in which the 

 intentions of the testator shall be carried into effect. Mr. Smithson 

 left the whole of his property, failing certain relatives, and an old 

 servant (now all deceased) "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." 



" An institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among 

 men." These are the words, and the only words, that remain to us as 

 a guide in framing a Smithsonian bill; our sole guide; unless, indeed, 

 we are to summon, as a commentar}" on the text of the will, and an 

 additional indication of the probable intentions of Mr. Smithson, such 

 particulars as have reached us touching his private character and 

 habits. These are very scanty. Mr. Rush says: 



What I have heard and may confide in amounts to this: That he was, in fact, the 

 natural son of the Daks of Northumberland; that his mother was a Mrs. Macie, of 

 an ancient family in Wiltshire, of the name of Hungerford; that he was educated at 

 Oxford; where ht took an honorary degree in 1786; that he does not appear to have 

 any fixed home, living in lodgings while in London, and occasionally staying a year 

 or two at a time in cities on the Continent, as Paris, Berlin, Florence, Genoa, at which 

 last he died; and that the ample provision made for him by the Duke of Northum- 

 berland, witli retired and simple habits, enabled him to accumulate the fortune 

 which now passes to the United States. (House Report 277, Twenty-sixth Congress, 

 first session, p. 99. ) 



Mr. Rush further says: 



He interested himself little in questions of government, being devoted to science, 

 an<l chiefly chemistry. This had introduced him to the society of Cavendish, Wol- 

 laston, and others advantageously known to the Royal Society in London, of which 

 he was a member. (Ibid. ) 



