554 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



It may be that the operations of the Smithsonian Institution have 

 not attracted the public eye, or made a favorable impression upon the 

 minds of the popular masses, but I have confidence in their judgment 

 and believe the reverse to be true. Be that as it may, it is certain 

 that wherever science and literature are cultivated the Institution is 

 becoming favorably known, and it is receiving the warmest com- 

 mendations of gentlemen of the highest standing and most exalted 

 scholastic attainments. 



I might adduce much evidence to sustain this assertion, but believe 

 the following will be considered ample and conclusive. The first 

 extract I shall read is from a memorial recently presented to this 

 House from the American Philosophical Society. "It appears to 

 them," say the memorialists, "that the Institution has been, since its 

 establishment, ever honestly and wisely administered, and the funds 

 expended to the best advantage in the fulfillment of the purposes of 

 the trust. Your memorialists believe that by diverting the funds of 

 the said Institution to the formation of a public library its power of 

 diffusing knowledge among men will be materially diminished and 

 that of increasing knowledge entirely destroyed. Our country abounds 

 in men with intellects adequate to the disco very of new truths, and 

 with tastes and education which fit them for the development and 

 beneficial application of all discoveries; but is, on the other hand, 

 deficient in the means of encouraging such men to devote their time 

 and energies to pursuits and of publishing their results to the world, 

 and on this account much useful knowledge, for which we ought to 

 have the credit, is published in foreign countries and inures to the 

 honor and advantage of other nations. Your memorialists, therefore, 

 sincerely believing that many disinterested men throughout our coun- 

 try, who are by education and position qualified to form an opinion 

 as to what is most useful for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men, concur in the opinions herein expressed, respectfully ask 

 your honorable body to leave to the Smithsonian Institution its pres- 

 ent efficient constitution and administration, and to refuse any legisla- 

 tion tending to impair its usefulness, by converting it into a library, 

 or otherwise." 



The following interesting letter from Mr. Felton, the distinguished 

 professor of languages at Harvard University, will show the estima- 

 tion in which the Institution is held in Europe: 



CAMBRIDGE, MASS., June SO, 1854. 



MY DEAR PROFESSOR: I have but recently returned from Europe, and I now desire 

 to acknowledge the service you did me by your circular letter of introduction to the 

 libraries of the European establishments which are in correspondence with the 

 Smithsonian Institution. Wherever I presented it I was received with great kind 

 ness and attention, and had the opportunity of seeing whatever was curious, inter- 

 esting, and valuable in the libraries and collections. 



It gave me pleasure to notice the high estimation in which the Smithsonian Insti- 



