336 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



In a Memoir of the Scientific Character and Researches of James 

 Smithson, prepared two years ago by Professor Johnson, of Philadel- 

 phia, there are enumerated twenty-four papers or treatises by Smithson, 

 published in the Transactions of the Royal Society and other scientific 

 journals of the day, containing contributions chiefly to the sciences of 

 mineralogy, geology, and, more especially, mineral chemistry. Some 

 of these contain acute suggestions regarding geological theories, since 

 confirmed by more modern observation; others evince the minute 

 care and accuracy demanded by quantitative analysis; while one or 

 two, of a more humble character, show that the man of science dis- 

 dained not to apply his knowledge to common things, even to the 

 details of domestic economy. In the Annals of Philosophy, volume 

 xxii, page 30, he has a brief tract on the " method of making coifee." 

 It contains the following excellent observation: 



In all cases means of economy tend to augment and diffuse comfort and happiness. 

 They bring within the reach of many what wasteful proceedings confines to the few. 

 By diminishing expenditure on one article, they allow some other enjoyment which 

 was before unattainable. 



Even in a trifle like this we may trace the utilitarian simplicity arid 

 practical benevolence of James Smithson. 



The will determines the name of the institution, and renders imper- 

 ative its location at Washington. It decides also that a Smithsonian 

 Institution shall have two distinct objects; one to increase the sum of 

 human knowledge, the other to aid in its diffusion: for we can not 

 imagine the terms to have been employed as synonymous. From the 

 character of the testator's pursuits we may fairly infer, further, that 

 a Smithsonian bill, framed in accordance with the evident intentions of 

 Smithson himself, must include the natural sciences, and especially 

 chemistry, together with their application to the useful arts of life, 

 among the branches of knowledge to be increased and diffused. And 

 as his own habits were frugal and unostentatious, so, in all its details, 

 should be the institution that bears his name. 



Suffer me now briefly to pass in review the history of our legislative 

 proceedings in this matter. 



The money was paid into the United States Treasury on the 1st of 

 September, 1838. On the 6th of December, of the same year, Presi- 

 dent Van Buren sent a message to Congress, informing that body that 

 he had in July, 1838, directed the Secretary of State "to apply to 

 persons versed in science, and familiar with the subject of public edu- 

 cation, as to the mode of disposing of the fund best calculated to meet 

 the intentions of the testator, and prove most beneficial to mankind." 



From the wording of this message we may infer that Mr. Van Buren 

 considered the advancement of science and of public education the 

 proper object of a Smithsonian Institution. 



He communicated to Congress the replies received. A brief abstract 



