FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS. 1877-1879. 769 



Institution and United States Fish Commission of the animal, mineral, 

 and fishery resources of the United States, also of public interest. 



These articles now constitute, by law, a part of the National Museum, 

 which has been placed by Congress in charge of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution. This Museum has hitherto been accommodated in the build- 

 ing erected for the purpose at the expense pf the Smithson fund, in 

 accordance with the direction of Congress. This edifice, however, is 

 filled to overflowing, while "there are elsewhere, on storage, from the 

 donations previously mentioned, collections of greater magnitude than 

 those in the Smithsonian building. 



It is evident that an appropriation for an additional building can not 

 justly be taken from the Smithson fund, and therefore the Board of 

 Regents have made the application mentioned in their memorial. This 

 memorial 1 was presented to Congress at its last session, w.hen the 

 appropriation asked for was granted by the Senate unanimously, and 

 when, in all probability, it would have been granted by the House 

 could the proposition have been brought to the consideration of that 

 body. 



1 am, with sentiments of high esteem, your obedient servant. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



Hon. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



December 3, 1877 House. . 



Extract from message of President JR. J3. Hayes. * 



I earnestly commend the request of the Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution that an adequate appropriation be made for the establish- 

 ment and conduct of a national museum under their supervision. 

 January 21, 1878 House. 



Mr. CASEY YOUNG introduced a bill (H. 2662) for the erection of a 

 fireproof building for the National Museum: 



That for a fireproof building for the use of the National ^luseum, 300 feet square, 

 to be erected under the direction and supervision of the Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, in accordance with the plan of Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs, now on file with 

 the Joint Committee of Public Buildings and Grounds, on the southwest corner of 

 the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, the sum of $250,000 is hereby appro- 

 priated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated; said building 

 to be placed west of the Smithsonian Institution, leaving a roadway between it and 

 the latter of not less than 30 feet, with its north front on "a line parallel with the 

 north face of the buildings of the Agricultural Department and of the Smithsonian 

 Institution; and all expenditures for the purposes herein mentioned, not including 

 anything for architectural plans, shall be audited by the proper officers of the Treas- 

 ury Department. 



Referred to Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. 



1 See Smithsonian Report for 1876, page 129, and Documents relative to Smithsonian 

 Institution, p. 749. 



H. Doc. 732 49 



