FOUNDING OF THE ACADEMY 3 



reveal the fact that the two organizations were closely associated 

 in the minds of their originators, and also that they came into 

 existence almost at the same time. It seems best, on this account, 

 to consider them in connection with each other rather than to 

 attempt to trace the beginnings of each organization separately. 

 The four letters referred to, as they appear in Captain Davis' 

 book, are as follows : 



"February 2, 1863. How much have I told you, if anything, about a Per- 

 manent Commission or Academy? Bache, Henry, and myself are very busy on 

 this topic, and have made a move which will no doubt result in the Permanent 

 Commission. The Academy is more doubtful " (p. 289). 



" February 20. Inclosed is a copy of the order creating the Permanent Com- 

 mission. But the Academy is to be introduced into Congress by Mr. Wilson 

 [Senator from Massachusetts]. The whole plan of it was arranged last night 

 between Mr. Wilson, Agassiz, Bache and Ben [Professor Peirce]. It was my 

 plan amplified and improved " (p. 289). 



" February 24. I told you a word about the Academy in one of my notes, but 

 only a word, being in a hurry. The appointment of a Permanent Commission was 

 suggested to me by one of my letters, which quoted a passage from the British War 

 Office which spoke of a Select Commission; and when I mentioned it to Bache and 

 Henry they acquiesced, and the latter presented the plan to the department. 

 You saw, by the copy of the Secretary's letter to me, that our plan was accepted 

 without any change whatever. We had hardly got through this thing before the 

 idea flashed upon my mind that the whole plan, so long entertained, of the 

 Academy could be successfully carried out if an act of incorporation were boldly 

 asked for in the name of some of the leading men of science from different parts of 

 the country. This I submitted to Bache and Henry with details, but the view was 

 not immediately adopted. The next step was Agassiz coming to Washington as 

 one of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Then followed a visit to 

 Agassiz by Senator Wilson, who had nominated him to the regency. At this 

 meeting, which took place at Bache's, Ben, Bache, and Dr. Gould were present; 

 and it was there that the mode of proceeding was devised. Mr. Wilson intro- 

 duced the bill last Saturday " . . . . (p. 289). 



" February 27 I am looking for Agassiz to come here and be intro- 

 duced to Admiral Foote, and then to go with me to the Capitol to see Mr. Grimes 

 about the Academy bill. I go to the President's once more, and I hope for the 

 last time, this morning. 



" The dinner at Bache's was particularly pleasant, even for the chief's enter- 

 tainments, which never fail to be agreeable. Judge Loring, Mr. Hosford, and 

 Mr. Hilgard were there . ..." (p. 291). 



