676 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



tion of the museum, the interest on which, at (> per cent, would !>e 

 $7,500 annually. 



The bequest to found this Institution was from a foreigner who 

 never visited the United States. He bequeathed his fortune with unre- 

 served confidence to our Government for the advancement of science, 

 to which he had devoted his own life. The sacredness of the trust is 

 enhanced from the fact that it was accepted after the death of him by 

 whom it was confided. The only indications of his intentions which 

 we possess are expressed in the terms of his will, it therefore 

 became of the first importance that the import of these terms should 

 be critically analyzed and the logical inference from them faithfully 

 observed. The whole is contained in these few and explicit words: 



To found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an estab- 

 lishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. 



These terms have a strictly scientific import, and are susceptible of 

 a scries of definite propositions. 



First. The bequest is for the benefit of mankind; not to be confined 

 to one country, to one race, but to all men of all complexions. 



Second. The objects of the Institution are primarily to increase, and 

 secondly to diffuse, knowledge among men, and these objects should 

 not be confounded with each other. 



The will makes no restriction of any kind of knowledge, hence every 

 branch of science capable of advancement is entitled to a share of 

 attention. 



Though the terms of the will are explicit and convey precise scien- 

 tific ideas to those who are acquainted with their technical significance, 

 yet to t]ie public generally they might seem to admit of a greater lati- 

 tude of construction than has been put upon them. It is, therefore, not 

 surprising that at the commencement improper conceptions of tlje 

 nature of the bequest should have been entertained, or that Congress in 

 the act of organization should direct the prosecution of objects incom- 

 patible with the strict interpretation of it or to impose burdens upon 

 the Institution tending materially to affect its usefulness. 



The principal of such burdens was the direction to provide a build- 

 ing on an ample scale to make provision for the accommodation of the 

 collections of Government, consisting of all the specimens of nature 

 and art then in the city of Washington or that might hereafter become 

 the property of the Government, by exchange or otherwise. 



Though the majority of the Board of Regents did not consider the 

 expenditure of a large amount of the income on this subject in accord- 

 ance with the will of Smithson, they could not refuse to obey the 

 injunction of Congress, and proceeded to erect an extended building 

 and to take, charge of the museum of the Government. The cost of 

 this building, which at first was $325,000, has been increased by the 



