THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-55. 589 



not be cramped and twisted out of shape, and so forced from its original 

 design that it shall wholly fail to accomplish the object of the munificent 

 testator. 



" Most earnestly, then, in the name of science, and especially of Amer- 

 can science, do I protest against such a gross perversion of this important 

 trust. I assure you, sir, that the great body of scientific men throughout 

 the country warmly approve Professor Henry n plan of conducting the 

 Smithsonian Institution, and regard it as a faithful exponent of the almost 

 undivided opinion of scientific and learned men as to the proper execution 

 of Smithson's will and of the law of Congress." 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 3, 1855. 



Mr. UPHAM. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the unanimous 

 consent of the House for leave, in this connection, to submit 

 a report and accompanying papers from the select commit- 

 tee raised to investigate the management and condition of 

 the Smithsonian Institution.* 



There was no objection, and the report was received. 

 Mr. UPHAM. A minority report will be submitted; and 

 I move that both reports be laid upon the table, and ordered 

 to be printed. The motion was agreed to. 



The following is the report made by Mr. Chas. W. Up- 

 ham, of Massachusetts : 



The Select Committee of the House of Representatives, to 

 whom were referred the letter of the Hon. Rufus Choate, 

 resigning his place as a regent of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, with instructions to inquire and report to the 

 House \vhether the Smithsonian Institution has been 

 managed and its funds expended in accordance with the 

 law establishing the institution, and whether any addi- 

 tional legislation be necessary to carry out the designs of 

 the founder; the memorial of Lorin Blodget for a rem- 

 edy against the Smithsonian Institution for labor and 

 researches in physical science, made for the benefit of said 

 institution; and" the petition of John Grable and sundry 

 others, citizens of St. Josephs, Missouri, praying for the 

 publication of a monthly periodical, exhibiting ^the prog- 

 ress of knowledge and of society, and to be distributed 

 by said institution among the people, beg leave to submit 

 the following report : 



The short time allowed for investigating the matters re- 

 ferred to the committee, and the pressure of other duties 

 during the few crowded last weeks of the session, render 

 anything like a full and thoroughly satisfactory report im- 

 possible. The transactions, to which their attention has 

 been called, are so complicated in their nature and extensive 



*Mr. Upham only signed this report. Mr. Witte and Mr. Taylor submitted another, 

 report, and Messrs. "Puryear and Wells declined to sign either. 



