838 



The Smithsonian Institution 



consider the best means of multiplying copies, for distribution, of the original 

 meter preserved in the archives of the government in Paris. 

 Oct. 20, Leonard Case, of Cleveland, Ohio, contributed $1200 in aid of publications. 



1871 



Feb. 25, Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Institution, appointed United States 

 Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries by President Grant. 



March 3, Appropriation for continuing the survey of the Colorado River of the West by 

 John W. Powell, under direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, made by Congress. 



March /J, Act establishing the Institution amended by Congress, by substituting the 

 " Governor of the District of Columbia " for the " Mayor of the City of Wash- 

 ington," as one of the Regents ex officio of the Institution. 



Nov. 20, James Hamilton, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, made a will bequeathing $1000 to the 

 Institution. 



1872 



June 8, Law passed by Congress that " all publications sent or received by the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, marked on each package, ' Smithsonian exchanges,' shall 

 be allowed to pass free in the mail." 



July g, Collection of minerals, ores, and geological specimens which had been formed by 

 Joseph Wilson, Commissioner of the General Land Office, embracing samples 

 from every State and Territory in the Union, transferred to the Institution by 

 the Secretary of the Interior. 



1873 



Jan. 20, Various ocean cable and inland telegraph companies granted the Institution the 

 privilege of transmitting without charge, between Europe and America, an- 

 nouncement of astronomical discoveries. 



June 18, Exchange of sets of United States Government documents with foreign govern- 

 ments begun. 



Dec. ig, Justice Nathan Clifford elected Chancellor. 



Dec. jf, Smithsonian meteorological work transferred to the signal office, War Depart- 

 ment, under " the policy that the Institution should devote its energies to no 

 field of research which can be as well cultivated by other means." 



1874 



Jan. i, Annual income and receipts of the Institution deposited with the Treasurer of the 

 United States, who makes payments on checks signed by the Secretary. 



Jan. 26, Secretary authorized by Board of Regents to receive aid from societies and in- 

 dividuals in defraying part of the expense of the exchange system. 



Feb. 13, Paintings, statuary, engravings, and books on art belonging to the Institution 

 deposited in the Corcoran Art Gallery. 



Feb. 24, Bequest of James Hamilton of $1000 deposited in United States Treasury to 

 credit of Smithson fund. 



March 25, Assistant Secretary Spencer F. Baird appointed by the President a member of 

 the Government Board for the Centennial Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia. 



April 27, Chief Justice Waite elected Chancellor. 



1875 



March 3, Act passed by Congress extending the use of the Library of Congress to the 

 Regents of the Institution. 



March 3, Appropriation by Congress to aid in making an exhibit at the Centennial Exhibi- 

 tion in Philadelphia. 



Nov. 23, A series of publications entitled " Bulletin of the United States National Mu- 

 seum " begun. 



1876 



July 31, Use of the Armory Building in the Mall granted by Congress for temporary 

 storage of collections received from the Centennial Exhibition. 



Oct. /<?, Medals, etc., awarded by the United States Centennial Commission to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution for certain of its exhibits in the Exhibition in Philadelphia. 



1878 



May 13, Death of Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Institution. 

 May 77, Spencer F. Baird elected Secretary. 



