316 MEMORIAI^ OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



feeling that he had been well treated. He thus prevented not only 

 the adoption of impracticable plans, but avoided the enmity of 

 their inventors. 



"Professor Henry made many valuable reports, containing the 

 results of his elaborate experiments into matters which were for- 

 mally referred to him, which are spread on the records of the 

 Board; and the reports were drawn in such form that his sugges- 

 tions were capable of and received practical application. But in 

 addition to this, he was constantly extending his scientific researches 

 for the benefit of the service in all directions. His summer vaca- 

 tions were as a rule passed in experimentation at the laboratory of 

 the Establishment at Staten Island, on its steamers, or at its light- 

 stations, pushing his inquiries to their last results. To experimen- 

 tation in the interests of this service. Professor Henry seemed to 

 give his whole heart. It appeared as if he never lost sight of the 

 needs of the Establishment, and as if he never neglected an oppor- 

 tunity to advance its interests. In addition to his other duties, 

 Professor Henry presided as Chairman of the Light-House Board 

 for the last seven years at its weekly meetings, when he did much 

 to infuse into the different members of the Board, his own spirit of 

 labor for, and devotion to its interests." * 



Services to the National Goveimment. — The value of Henry's 

 services to the various Executive Departments of our Government, 

 faithfully and unostentatiously performed through a long series of 

 years and a succession of Presidential Administrations, cannot be 

 estimated, as its history can never be written. "Whatever material 

 for it existed in the form of abstracts of inquiries, trials, and 

 reports, prior to 1865, unfortunately perished in the fire of that 

 year. Whenever in any important case a scientific adviser could 

 be useful to the proper conduct of a Bureau, Henry's reputation 

 generally pointed him out as the most suitable expert and arbiter. 

 On the outbreak of the great civil war, the number of such refer- 



* Executive Documents, No. 91, Forty-fifth Congress, 2d Session, Senate, pp. 2, 3. It 

 Is gratifying to know that on the presentation of his report and recommendation 

 to Congress, by tlie high-minded Secretary of the Treasury, a moderate appropri- 

 ation for the benefit of his bereaved family was at once passed, In slight recogni- 

 tion of Henry's "Inestimable" services. 



