TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS, 1839-41. 201 



according to the desire and instruction of the testator, the institution is to 

 be founded, they necessarily feel a deep solicitude on the subject, and are 

 anxious that Congress would take it into serious and immediate considera- 

 tion, in order that the benefit intended to be conferred, may be enjoyed at 

 as early a period as possible. They need not suggest that, in addition to 

 the intellectual advantages of which the contemplated institution promises 

 to be productive, it will be the means, they believe, of adding greatly to 

 the reputation of the metropolis, and of giving to it a new source of attrac- 

 tion. Though this motive may appear to be selfish, it is nevertheless one 

 which all who take an interest in the welfare and prosperity of the capital 

 of their country, must necessarily feel. But your memorialists are influ- 

 enced by loftier and philanthropic motives, in wishing to see the instruc- 

 tions of Mr. Smithson carried into effect. It is impossible to calculate the 

 amount of good which an institution properly founded and judiciously 

 organized, as they have no doubt this will be, is susceptible of promoting 

 the improvement of the intellect, taste, and morals of the great com- 

 munity of this country ; for though the fountain may be here, its streams 

 will flow through all parts of the republic, and fertilize and improve its 

 remotest borders. It is not for memorialists to point out the character of 

 such an institution as should be 'established, in accordance with the design 

 of him who made the bequest, because they know it is in much abler hands j 

 and, therefore, it would be presumptuous in them to attempt it. All they 

 desire, is to see it speedily commenced, and the design fully carried out ; 

 and in this desire, they believe they are joined by all who feel an interest 

 in the diffusion of human knowledge, and the intellectual improvement of 

 their fellow-men. 



Your memorialists respectfully pray, that for the benefit of their country- 

 men, and the special advantage which will result from it to Washington, 

 the subject may claim the immediate attention of Congress, and that a plan 

 will be devised and adopted during the present session, which will accord 

 with the intentions of the testator, and when carried into execution, be 

 attended with all the blessings and advantages which are expected to flow 

 from an institution already founded and wisely organized. 



And so they will ever pray. 



PETER FORCE. 



CH. W. GOLDSBOROUGH. 



GEO. WATTERSTON. 

 JOHN W. MAURY. 

 JOHN WILSON. 

 GEORGE ADAMS. 

 SAMUEL BYINGTON. 



Mr. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS presented a memorial of Con- 

 stantine S. Rafinesque, of Philadelphia, professor of histor- 

 ical and natural sciences, praying that the benevolent in- 

 tentions of James Smithson may be speedily realized, by 

 the immediate establishment of an institution for the diffu- 

 sion of useful knowledge among men ; which was referred 

 to the select committee on the Smithsonian bequest. 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 27, 1840. 



Mr. ADAMS asked Mr. ORABB (who was entitled to the 

 floor) to give way to allow him to present a report from the 

 select committee on the Smithsonian bequest. It was a 

 subject which had excited a good deal of public interest ; and 

 lie merely wished to make the report, and have it printed, 



