THIRTIETH CONGRESS, 1847-1849. 465 



Institution referred to this committee. Let that committee report the 

 result of their investigation to this House. 



But while he was upon the floor, there were some other things to 

 which he would advert, for it was very difficult for him to get the floor 

 here on any given subject. He had had the honor of making a few 

 remarks the other day upon the resolution providing for the establish- 

 ment of a committee upon the Smithsonian Institution; but before he 

 had concluded his remarks the House adjourned, and the resolution 

 had laid over from that day. The whole thing was left in the fog, and 

 no one could tell when it would be reached again. 



He had no personal hostility to this Institution. He appreciated 

 and approved the design of the donor. He thought the motives and 

 intentions of Mr. Smithson were good; but this thing had received an 

 improper direction, and was already beginning, as he had remarked, 

 to result in a large annual expenditure to this Government, and Con- 

 gress were called upon to appropriate sum after sum for printing and 

 for other expenses in getting up this Institution, which was to result 

 in no good to the Government or the country. What good could result 

 from this Institution, with its peculiar organization? Why, it would 

 have been much better, and would no doubt have fulfilled the good 

 intentions and motives of the man's heart, had he bequeathed this sum 

 to the United States to be expended in erecting schoolhouses of some 

 description in this District, and in the districts throughout the country, 

 in which the common children of the country could be educated. It 

 would have been diffusing knowledge among men more profitabh T , 

 more in accordance with the design of the donor. But what good has 

 this Institution done, as now organized? 

 June 1, 1848 Senate. 



On motion of Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS, of Mississippi, 



Resolved, That one thousand additional copies of the report of the Regents of the 

 Smithsonian Institution be printed for the use of the Senate. 

 July 7, 1848 Senate. 



On motion of Mr. JAMES A. PEARCE, 



Resolved, That one hundred and fifty copies of the report of the Regents of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, printed for the use of the Senate, be furnished to the Sec- 

 retary of the Institution, for the use of said Institution. 

 February 19, 1849 House. 



Mr. H. W. HILLIARD presented a report of the Board of Regents 

 of the Smithsonian Institution, showing the operations, expenditures, 

 and condition of that Institution to the present time. Laid on the 

 table, and ordered to be printed. 

 February 22, 1849 Senate. 



Mr. JAMES M. MASON presented the annual report of the Regents 

 of the Smithsonian Institution; and moved that one thousand copies 

 be printed for the use of the Senate. Agreed to. 

 H. Doc. 732 30 



