40 The Smithsonian Institution 



Poinsett, when elected to the presidency of the National 

 Institution, was a man of sixty-two. He had lived an event- 

 ful life, full of opportunities for observing the institutions of 

 Europe, Asia, and South America. His culture was broad 

 and sympathetic, and he was better fitted, perhaps, than any 

 of the public men of his time to appreciate the necessity of 

 organizing our institutions in accordance with a liberal and 

 comprehensive plan. In his interviews with those who advo- 

 cated an observatory as the first result of the Smithson be- 

 quest, he showed a full appreciation of the value of such an 

 institution, but seems to have kept before his own mind ay 

 much more comprehensive ideal. In his address upon the 

 " Objects and Aims of the National Institution for the Promo- 

 tion of Science," delivered at the first anniversary meeting, 

 January 4, 1841, he referred pointedly to the Smithson be- 

 quest, saying that it offered a favorable occasion for carrying 

 into effect all the important objects connected with the Na- 

 tional Institution, such as that which he was then addressing, 

 enabling the government to afford all necessary protection to 

 the promotion of science and the useful arts, 1 without the ex- 

 ercise of any doubtful power. 



Soon after this, in February, Senators Linn, of Missouri, 



marked : "Congress cannot find a better oppor- Smithsonian Bequest (op. cit., pages 204-208) ; 

 tunity to execute the will of that beneficent tes- from Honorable Virgil Maxey, Charge" d'Af- 

 tator thanbylayingholdofyourinstitution and faires of the United States at Brussels (op. cit., 

 making it its own." (Proceedings, page 12.) pages 46-47); Opening Address by John 

 The Honorable Virgil Maxey, Charge d'Af- Tyler, President of the United States, patron 

 faires at Brussels, wrote in December, 1840, of the National Institute (op. cit., pages 437- 

 that in his opinion no better use could be 438) ; letter from the Honorable Levi Wood- 

 made of the bequest than to place it under bury, United States Senate (op. cit., pages 

 the direction of a society organized for the 451-453); Smithsonian Bequest, by the Hon- 

 proper carrying into effect views identical with orable Richard Rush (op. cit., pages 455- 

 those contemplated by the philanthropical 460); address of Honorable Mr. Preston, of 

 and philosophical testator. (Proceedings, the United States Senate (op. cit., page 236); 

 page 46.) letter of John Pickering, of Boston, Septem- 



See in this connection letters from Richard ber I, 1841 (op. cit., pages 107-110). 



Rush, on the Smithsonian Bequest (Proceed- 1 These were the avowed objects of the 



ings of the National Institution, 1842, pages National Institution, as can be seen by ref- 



201-204) ; from Peter S. Duponceau, on the erence to its constitution. 



