THIRTIETH CONGRESS, 1847-1849. 447 



at the end of five years from the time of its commencement. So far 

 from having expended the sum appropriated by Congress for the pur- 

 pose, we shall have after erecting the structure, providing for its warm- 

 ing and ventilation, and the inclosure of the grounds, $140,000 to 

 return to the principal sum. In the meanwhile we are carrying on 

 the operations of the Institution, stimulating original researches, pub- 

 lishing contributions to science, and gradually increasing our library. 

 At the same time we pay our debts as we go on. This is, of course, 

 accomplished by using the interest on the $240,000 for the building 

 and the annually accruing interest on the principal fund for meeting 

 the regular expenses of the Institution. 



The transactions of the present year are highly interesting, and will 

 soon be published in a volume which will compare well with similar 

 publications in Europe. 



With the building, so far as it has gone, all paid for and every debt 

 discharged, we shall have at the end of the year $10,000 more than we 

 received from Congress. 



Is there any necessity for a standing committee of this House ? How 

 is the Board of Regents composed? The act of Congress declares 

 that it shall be constituted of the Vice-President of the United States, 

 the Chief Justice of the United States, the mayor of the city of 

 Washington, three members of the Senate, three members of the 

 House of Representatives, together with six other persons not mem- 

 bers of Congress. Each House of Congress, it will be perceived, has 

 three members of the Board of Regents, and it is required by law that 

 the Board shall submit to Congress at each session a report of the 

 operations, expenditures, and condition of the institution. 



At the last session I presented a full report according to law which 

 I now have before me; it was printed and circulated. Another report 

 is about to be presented embracing the report of the building commit- 

 tee, a paper containing some 300 pages full of useful information 

 which I should be happy to see printed. Is it, then, necessary to 

 appoint a committee ? Is it proper? Is it becoming? A committee of 

 this House appointed "to superintend the affairs of the Smithsonian 

 Institution ! " This committee will bring under its supervision the 

 Vice-President of the United States, the Chief Justice, three Senators, 

 three Representatives, and six citizens at large selected because of 

 their character and attainments. May I most respectfully ask who 

 will superintend the affairs of that committee of five ? Where is the 

 necessity for thus complicating the machinery of an institution which 

 ought to be left to enjoy the repose which science loves. 



I hope, sir, that this Institution, so important to this country and to 

 mankind, will not be launched on the ever-heaving sea of politics. If 

 that should happen, we should soon lose sight of land; storms and 

 shipwreck would await us, and the hopes which crowned our noble 

 enterprise in its commencement would perish with us. 



