FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, 1875-1877. 767 



VICTORIA. 

 SIR REDMOND BARRY, Commissioner. 



The entire collection of useful economical minerals of the country exhibited by the 

 mining department; specimens of stoneware and other products; extensive collec- 

 tions of grains, wools, fruits, fibers, and woods; samples of paper, gums, etc. 



VENEZUELA. 

 Mr. LEON DE LA COVA, Commissioner. 



The entire exhibit made by this country of minerals, ores, articles of materia 

 medica, fruits, fibers, extracts, etc. 



In general it may be stated that from the countries mentioned in the foregoing the 

 exhibits made by the commissioners in behalf of their respective governments, so 

 far as relates to the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms and their applications, 

 have been presented to the United States, in some cases without any exception what- 

 ever; in others, all except a few duplicates, which were presented to other foreign 

 commissions or to institutions in the United States. Indeed, tha only countries from 

 which absolutely nothing was received were Denmark, Luxumbourg, Bahamas, 

 British Guiana, Cape of Good Hope, and Jamaica, the exhibits of these countries 

 being either entirely private property or borrowed from the Colonial Museum in 

 London and necessarily returned. 



ACT OF ORGANIZATION OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AMENDED. 

 February 27, 1877. 



Section 5579 (of Revised Statutes) is amended by striking out in the 

 fourth^ line the words "the Patent Office," and inserting the word 

 ''Patents," [so that the section will read:] 



(Stat. XIX, 253.) 



The President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of State, the 

 Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of 

 the Kavy, the Postmaster-General, the Attorney-General, the Chief 

 Justice, the Commissioner of Patents, and the governor of the Dis- 

 trict of Columbia, and such other persons as they may elect honorary 

 members, are hereby constituted an establishment, by the name of the 

 'Smithsonian Institution,' for the increase and diffusion of knowl- 

 edge among men, and by that name shall be known and have perpet- 

 ual succession, with the powers, limitations, and restrictions herein- 

 after contained, and no other. 



(Revised Statutes, 1878, 2d edition, 1082.) 



FREE POSTAGE. 

 March 3, 1877. 



An act establishing post roads, etc., and for other purposes. 



Be it enacted, etc. : 



SEC. 5. That it shall be lawful to transmit through the mail, free of 

 postage, an}' letters, packages, or other matters relating exclusively 

 to the business of the Government of the United States: Provided, 



