ADDRESS OF PROP. A. GRAY. 65 



And the event justified the apprehension, while it opened other 

 fields of not inferior usefulness. 



In August, 1846, the act of Congress establishing the Smith- 

 Bonian Institution was passed and approved. On the 7th of Sep- 

 tember ensuing, the Regents held their first meeting. On the 3d 

 of December following they resolved : 



"That it is essential for the advancement of the proper interests 

 of the trust that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be a 

 man possessing weight of character and a high grade of talent; 

 and that it is further desirable that he possess eminent scientific 

 and general acquirements ; that he be a man capable of advancing 

 science and promoting letters by original research and effort, well 

 qualified to act as a respected channel of communication between 

 the Institution and scientific and literary individuals and societies 

 in this and foreign countries; and, in a word, a man worthy t^ 

 represent before the world of science and letters the 'Institution 

 over which this Board presides." 



Immediately following the adoption of this resolution, Professor 

 Joseph Henry, of Princeton, was elected Secretafy. On the 14th 

 of December a letter was read from him accepting the appointment. 

 At the meeting a week later, he appeared and entered upon the 

 duties of his office. From this time the biography of Professor 

 Henry is the history of the Institution. That history is set forth 

 in the Secretary's annual reports, presented by the Board of Regents 

 to Congress, and it need not be recapitulated. A few wordfe may 

 give some idea of the deep impression he made upon the Institution 

 while it was yet plastic. 



Some time before his appointment he had been requested by 



members of the Board of Regents to examine the will of Smithson, 



and to suggest a plan of organization by which the object of the 



bequest might, in his opinion, best be realized. He did so, and the 



plan he drew was in their hands when he was chosen Secretary. 

 5 



