DIGEST OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS ESTABLISH- 

 ING THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



Approved August 10, 1846. 

 By PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY. 



I. THE ESTABLISHMENT ou SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PROPER. 



1. The following persons shall constitute an establishment : 



2. Known by the name of the Smithsonian Institution. 



3. For the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, viz : 



4. The President of the U. S. Secretary <>f tin- Navy, 

 Vice President. Postmaster General, 

 Secretary of State, Chief Justice, 

 Secretary of the Treasury, Commissioner of Patents, 



Mayor of Washington. 

 6. And such other persons as may be elected by them honorary members. 



II. MEETINGS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. 



1. The members and honorary members of said Institution may hld 



stated and special meetings. 



2. At these meetings the President, and in his absence, the Vice Presi- 



dent of the United States, shall preside. Sec. Sth. 



3. The Secretary of the Board of Regents is also Secretary of the Insti- 



tution. Sec. 3d. 



4. Meetings to be called in manner provided for in by-laws of said In^ti- 



tution. Sec. Sth. 



III. OBJECTS OF THE MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTION 



1. Supervision of the affairs of the Institution. 



2. Advice and instruction of Board of Regents. 



3. Election of honorary members. 



4. Enactment of by-laws for government of said Institution. Sec. Sth. 



IV. FUNDS OF THE INSTITUTION. 



1. The property of James Smithson received into the Treasury on the 1st 



September, 1838, is declared a loan to the United States at six per 

 cent, per annum from the above date. Sees. Id and r>/7/. 



2. The interest which accrued up to the 1st of July, 1840, or so much 



thereof as the Regents may deem necessary, together with the sur- 

 plus interest of any year, is appropriated to the civet i<>n of u build- 

 ing, and to other current incidental expenses. Sri-*. '2<l and-if/i. 



3. The interest on original fund perpetually applied to maintenance of 



the Institution. Sec. 2d. 



4. Principal not to be touched. Accruing and accrued interest to be ex- 



pended for objects of Institution. Sees. 2d and 9M. 



5. Interest payable half-yearly, on 1st January and 1st July, in each 



year. Sec. 2d. 



6. Amount of Smithson 's property received into the Treas- 



ury on September 1st, 1838, $515,169 00 



7. Interest on the same to July 1st, 1840, . . . 242,129 00 



8. Half-yearly interest. Sec. 2d 15,455 07 



758 



