502 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, and was decided in the nega- 

 tive. 



So the amendment was rejected. 



The demand for the previous question was then seconded 

 and the main question was ordered to he put; and, under 

 its operation, the resolution of Mr. Smith was adopted. 



The joint resolution of the Senate for the appointment of 

 Regents in the Smithsonian Institution was taken up, read 

 three times, passed, and returned to the Senate. 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, December 12, 1848. 



The SPEAKER announced the call for petitions to he in 

 order, and the call having reached the State of Louisiana 



Mr. MORSE observed that he did not rise to present a peti- 

 tion from the State of Louisiana, but to a privileged ques- 

 tion ; and he asked the attention of the House tor a few 

 moments. It was to the reconsideration of the vote on that 

 part of the resolution for the adoption of the rules of the 

 House which rejected the application for a commission on 

 the Smithsonian Institution. He thought, without entering 

 into any argument on this subject, that the House would 

 see the propriety of appointing a committee, in order to 

 meet the views expressed by the gentleman from Vermont, 

 [Mr. Marsh,] as well as by the gentleman from South Caro- 

 lina, [Mr. Rhett.] And he had no doubt that those of their 

 friends on this side of the House who desired to terminate 

 all connection between the Government and this institution, 

 would see as well the propriety of submitting this matter to 

 a committee, who would be authorized, without further in- 

 struction, to examine and see whether it would not be bet- 

 ter, and whether it would not be carrying out the trust 

 which the Government had solemnly accepted from the late 

 James Smithson, to hand over all the moneys which had 

 been received by the United States to an incorporated body, 

 who should have the sole charge of the funds arising from 

 this legacy. Such of the gentlemen on the other side of 

 the House as thought the affairs of the institution would be- 

 better managed under the surveillance of a committee, 

 must be of the opinion that it would be well to bring to the 

 knowledge of the House the true, exact state of that insti- 

 tution. It was true a very elaborate, a very able report had 

 been made by the Regents ; but it was an ex parte report, so- 

 far as the interests of this country and the House were con- 

 cerned. Let a committee be appointed, of capable men r 

 who should take the matter into consideration, and see- 

 whether the ends of the donor would be best carried out by 



