THIRTr-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-55. 583 



name would live in the memory of men when the titles of 

 the Northumberlands and Percies were extinct or forgotten. 



Sir, the language used in the bequest corresponds with 

 what might naturally be expected from one possessing the 

 enlarged views of Smithson. 



The great ideas of the will are those of increase and uni- 

 versal benefit. The benefit is not for one nation, but for 

 "men' 7 who make up all nations. It is for mankind for 

 humanity. The truths of science admit of universal appli- 

 cation. A truth that tends to enlarge and to elevate the 

 mind ; a discovery that furnishes a new power, or makes a 

 new application of an old one, to administer in a greater 

 degree to the wants of men ; a fact that opens to the analytic 

 mind a new source of evidence to determine what before 

 was doubtful, are blessings for a world. 



Mr. Chairman, it is contended by some that the act of 

 Congress organizing the institution contemplated a library 

 as the leading and paramount object of the plan. Sir, I do 

 not so understand the law. I am unable to find anything in 

 it which conflicts with the will of Smithson. The object 

 of the law is declared to be to carry out his wishes as' ex- 

 pressed in the will. It provides a general outline for the 

 execution of the trust, but necessarily leaves much to the 

 judgment of the regents, who are intrusted with the general 

 management of the institution. It mentions a library, mu- 

 seum, &c., as objects to be regarded, but does not require 

 that all the income shall be applied to the objects specially 

 mentioned, or a particular amount to any one of them; and 

 the ninth section expressly authorizes the regents to make 

 such disposition of the income, not required to carry out the 

 provisions specified elsewhere in the act, "as they shall deem 

 best suited for the promotion of the purpose of the testator,'* 

 which purpose is declared in the title of the act to be " to 

 establish the Smithsonian Institution, (not Library,) for the 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." 



The law does not specify the sum that shall be expended 

 upon the museum, or any of the objects mentioned. No- 

 amount is required to be annually applied to a library, but 

 there is a limitation that it shall not exceed a certain sum. 

 It may be less, much less, but in no event more. Pains seem 

 to have been taken to secure, for all time, the services of 

 gentlemen of talent and standing upon the Board of Regents, 

 and they are wisely and necessarily intrusted with some dis- 

 cretion in the expenditure of the income and the general 

 management of the affairs of the institution. Take, as an 

 example, the item of books. They are an article of trade, 



