980 LETTERS ON PROGRAMME OF ORGANIZATION. 



vented a prompt acknowledgment of the favor conferred on 

 the college. 



But I seize the first comparative leisure afforded me to 

 express my thanks, on behalf of the college, for this contri- 

 bution ; and may I not embrace the occasion to say that I 

 feel deeply interested in all the movements of this noble, 

 most remarkable, and somewhat singular Institution over 

 which you preside. 



This Institution is one of the most striking educational 

 features of the age, and peculiarly characteristic of our 

 country and her bold, liberal, practical spirit, and in it, as 

 such, I take pride, and rejoice. Though we are indebted 

 to a foreigner for its liberal foundation, yet great glory 

 must accrue to our Government, which seems to be the 

 only one on earth capable of accomplishing tin- generous 

 and philanthropic purposes of the doimr. 



I in common with all my fellow citizens who are inter- 

 ested in the increase of knowledge, shall hail with joy every 

 addition you make to science, every encouragement you 

 afford to the inquiring, and every impulse you give to 

 the American mind. The Christian and patriot must hope 

 for, and rejoice in, the success of this n<>l>le Institution. 



From A. S. Packard. 



BOWDOIN COLLEGE, 

 BRUNSWICK, Mi:., December 28, 1848. 



As regards the volume whieh has been issued by the 

 Smithsonian Institution, I may be allowed to state my per- 

 sonal gratification in this " contribution " to our knowledge 

 of a past and forgotten race. Some years since I was much 

 interested in the subject and pursued my inquiries with 

 such aids as were then accessible. I have been much struck 

 therefore with the clearness, definiteness and reliability of 

 the investigation which this volume contains; and I cannot 

 but think, that this first " contribution " of the Smithsonian 

 Institution will be received as an earnest of the great good 

 it may accomplish for our country. 



From John Chamberlain. 



OAKLAND COLLEGE, Miss., December 30, 1848. 

 As to the programme which has been adopted by the Re- 

 gents, it receives my entire approbation because of its 

 worthy Secretary, and his associates by whom it was pro- 

 jected who are deserving unqualified confidence for their 

 ability to devise and manage for the best interests of such 



