44(3 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



The Board of Regents faithfully studied the will of Mr. Smithson 

 and the law creating the establishment. 



Two things were to be accomplished: First, to increase knowledge 

 by original research; and then, second, to diffuse it by suitable and 

 efficient agencies; or, in the language of the venerable and distinguished 

 gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Adams), "to spread knowledge 

 throughout the world." 



The task devolved by Congress on the Regents was no light one. 

 They were called on to organize and set on foot this establishment, so 

 beneficent in its conception, so comprehensive in its design. The act 

 of Congress prescribed certain parts of the plan and left the other 

 parts to be devised by the Board of Regents. That part of the plan 

 which was embraced in the act of Congress had almost exclusive refer- 

 ence to the diffusion of knowledge. The means which provide for the 

 increase have been supplied by the Regents. 



We have been charged with being wildhy extravagant laying out 

 large sums in purchase of old books. A story has been circulated that 

 we paid $2,500 for an old and rare copy of the Bible. Now, sir, no 

 man loves the Bible more than I do, but I could not have consented to 

 an expenditure of that sort. I dare say no one member of the Board 

 ever dreamed of such an expenditure. 



Again, some have charged us with being too utilitarian, confining 

 our operations to an improvement of the physical condition of man- 

 kind. We have certainly endeavored in our plan of organization to 

 provide for the entire wants of mankind and to meet the spirit of the 

 age. We have brought into our service a gentleman who stands in the 

 front rank of the science of the country I mean Professor Henry, 

 formerly of Princeton. His name is well known in Europe, and is 

 associated with that of Faraday, and Arago, and Quetelet. I have 

 before me the plan of organization adopted for the operations of the 

 Institution, to which I desire to call the attention of the House, but 

 which (as Mark Antony said on a much more important occasion 

 about the will of Caesar) pardon me, I do not intend to read. I wish 

 every gentleman in the House would read it, for it would receive on all 

 sides a warm and generous support. 



I desire to submit a few remarks in regard to our building. We 

 were authorized by Congress to expend $240,000 in its erection; but, 

 in view of the wide field of knowledge to be cultivated, the Regents 

 resolved to save a part of this sum and add it to the principal. Keep- 

 ing in view the great interests to be provided for, it was resolved to 

 erect a building of proportions sufficiently ample to meet the require- 

 ments of the act of Congress, and of a style which should not offend 

 the eye. This has been effected, a contract has been entered into, and 

 a plan of expenditure agreed upon, which, while the building is 

 gradually constructed, will carry out the plan to full completion, and 



