A PLEA FOR A NATIONAL MUSEUM AND BOTANIC 



GARDEN, 



To be founded on the Smithsonian Institution, at the City of Washington^ 



BY WILLIAM DARLINGTON, M. D. 

 Read before the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science, December 3, 1841. 



The writer of this brief address is glad to have been reminded, since its 

 deliver}*, that the very proposition which it advocates was substantially 

 made, and forcibly urged, in the able discourse of the Hon. J. R. POIN- 

 SETT, late Secretary of War, before the National Institution, at Washing- 

 ton, at their first anniversary meeting. The fact had entirely escaped his 

 memory; though he has now no doubt that the suggestion (which he has 

 been revolving in his mind without recollecting its origin) was in truth de- 

 rived from that source. Had the circumstance occurred to the writer in 

 season, he would have endeavored to fortify his own feeble "Plea," by 

 availing himself of some of the more comprehensive views and powerful 

 arguments of the honorable Secretary. As it is, he merely desires, in 

 parliamentary phrase, to be regarded as seconding the motion so appro- 

 priately made by that distinguished promoter of Science and the liberal 

 Arts. 



It is known, probably, to every individual of this audi- 

 ence, that a munificent bequest was made, a few years since, 

 to the United States, by Mr. JAMES SMITHSON. of London, 

 for the purpose of founding, " at Washington, under the 

 name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the 

 increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." This dona- 

 tion, amounting to about half a million of dollars, has been 

 duly received, and is now in the possession of the United 

 States, awaiting the action of the Government to carry into 

 effect the magnanimous design of the testator; and as every 

 citizen of this Republic is interested in the appropriate use, 

 and faithful management, of the bequest, I propose to in- 

 vite your attention, for a few moments, to some remarks 

 and suggestions, which have occurred to me, in relation to 

 the contemplated establishment. The " increase and diffu- 

 sion of knowledge," I may observe, was the single and 

 laudable motive which gave origin to our own humble 

 institution and is the object which alone prompts its 

 efforts to be an useful auxiliary to inquiring minds. Such 

 is ,also, the purpose of various other kindred associations 

 in our land. But such an object should not be left to the 

 scanty means of local societies and public-spirited individ- 

 uals. It claims the fostering care of a Nation. And I trust 

 it will not be deemed impertinent, or foreign to this occa- 

 sion, to present a few considerations on the most eligible 



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