282 The Smithsonian Institution 



by Louis Fagan, that though he earnestly desired to accept 

 this invitation, he was unable to attend. He writes to Mr. 

 Haywood, July 21, 1853 : 



"As to my going anywhere, I have to tell you of a dream 

 which I should like to become a reality. There is going to 

 be a congress of librarians in the United States, which is to 

 open on the fifteenth of September next, and where all the 

 great questions connected with the management of a great 

 library are to be discussed, and uniform principles adopted 

 .... They wish me to go, and I should like it amazingly ; 

 but the expense is too heavy. I will try, if possible, to get 

 enough from the trustees. Do you think it possible, in case 

 of my going, that, if the packet is not full, I might have a 

 cabin to myself? " 



As bearing on Professor Jewett's own plans, this conven- 

 tion adopted the following resolutions : 



"Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be presented 

 to the Board of Regents and officers of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution for their steady and effective efforts for the increase 

 and diffusion of knowledge among men ; and particularly for 

 the measures which they have adopted for the encourage- 

 ment and promotion of the public libraries of our country." 



"Resolved, That we have considered attentively the plan 

 for constructing catalogues of libraries, and a general cata- 

 logue of the public libraries of the United States, by means 

 of separate stereotype titles, originated and prepared by Pro- 

 fessor C. C. Jewett, and developed by him while librarian of 

 the Smithsonian Institution. That we regard it as an object 

 of high importance to the interests of our public libraries, and 

 to the promotion of learning, and worthy to share in the 

 funds of the Institution and the zealous exertions of its offi- 

 cers ; the more so as it is an enterprise which cannot be 

 successfully prosecuted, except under the guidance, protec- 

 tion, and pecuniary support of this central establishment for 

 the increase and diffusion of knowledge. 



