TWENTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, 1835-37. 149 



Smithson, late of London, deceased, to found, at Washing- 

 ton, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an 

 establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men, accompanied by a report in writing; which 

 bill was read the first and second time, and committed to 

 the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 

 Union. 



The following is the report : 



The Select Committee, to which was referred the message of 

 the President of the United States, of the 17th of De- 

 cember last, with documents relating to the bequest of 

 James Smithson, of London, to the United States of 

 America, for the purpose of founding at Washington, an 

 establishment under the name of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men, respectfully report: 



That, from the papers transmitted to Congress with the 

 message of the President, it appears, that James Smithson, 

 a foreigner, of noble family and of affluent fortune, did, by 

 his last will and testament, made in the year 1826, bequeath 

 under certain contingencies, which have since been real- 

 ized, and with certain exceptions, for which provision was 

 made by the same will, the whole of his property, of an 

 amount exceeding four hundred thousand dollars, to the 

 United States of America, to found at Washington, under 

 the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment 

 for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. 



To the acceptance of this bequest, and to the assumption 

 and fulfilment of the high and honorable duties involved in 

 the performance of the trust committed with it, the Con- 

 gress of the United States, in their legislative capacity, 

 are alone competent. Your committee believe, not only 

 that they are thus competent, but that it is enjoined upon 

 them, by considerations of the most imperious and indis- 

 pensable obligation. The first steps necessary to be taken 

 for carrying into effect the benevolent intentions of the tes- 

 tator, must be to obtain the possession of the funds, now 

 held by the Messrs. Drummonds, bankers in London, execu- 

 tors of Mr. Smithson's will, and subject to the superinten- 

 dence, custody and adjudication of the Lord Chancellor of 

 England. To enable the President of the United States to 

 effect this object, the committee report herewith a bill. 



But your committee think they would imperfectly dis- 

 charge their duty to this House, to their country, to the 

 world of mankind, or to the donor of this most munificent 



