VI CONTENTS. 



* 



Pa(]6. 



Mr. F. Markoe's account of Smithson's mineral cabinet IG 



Notice of various portraits of Sniithson IG 



Personal effects exhibited in Patt'nt Office 16 



The same transferred to the Smithsonian Institution • 16 



These effects destroyed by fire in 1865 16 



Will of Smithson deliberately made 17 



Account of book on wills found in Smithson's library 17 



Motives inducing the bequest to the United States 18 



Scientific activity of the period 18 



Organization of leading scientific societies 19 



Remarkable advances in science noticed by Arago 19 



Cuvier's retrospect of the same 20 



Educational progress of the period 20 



Lord Brougham's efforts in behalf of diffusion of knowledge 20 



Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge organized 21 



Purpose of Smithson to leave fortune to Royal Society 21 



Cosmopolitan spirit of Royal Society 22 



Estate received from Colonel Henry Louis Dickinson 22 



Will of Smithson proved in court 23 



Details of the will 23 



Smithson's estate devised to Henry James Hungerford 24 



Claim of Mrs. de la Batut, mother of the nephew of Smithson 24 



Decree of court of chancery relative to annuity to Mrs. do la Batut 24 



First announcement of bequest to United States 25 



President Jackson's message to Congress asking for action on bequest 25 



Proceedings in United States Senate relative to acceptance of bequest 25 



Proceedings in the House of Representatives relative to the same 26 



Hon. Richard Rush appointed agent to obtain the bequest 27 



Character of Mr. Rush, and value of his services 27,29 



Suit of United States to procure bequest 28 



Delays incident to chancery suits 28 



Bequest obtained by Mr. Rush, and nature of the funds 30 



Transfer of bequest fund to tho United States 30 



Legislation of Congress in relation to tho disposition of the bequest 31 



President Van Buren's request for plans for organizing tho Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution 31 



Plans proposed by literary and scientific men 31' 



Investment of Smithson funds in State stocks by order of Congress 34 



President Tyler's appeal to Congress for action in relation to bequest 85 



Discussion of bills relative to bequest 35, 38, 39, 42 



Speech of Mr. Choate advocating library scheme 36 



Speeches of Mr. Tappan, and others proposing plans 38 



Speech of Mr. Owen advocating plan, and reply to Mr. Choate 40 



Speech of Mr. Marsh on plan of organization 43 



Action of House of Representatives on Mr. Owen's bill 48 



Substitute bill by Mr. Hough for that of Mr. Owen, adopted 49 



Action of the United States Senate on bill for organizing Smithsonian Institution 49 



Organization of Smithsonian Institution 49 



List of first Board of Regents 49 



