1224 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
Bowen, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, their associates and 
successors, are hereby created in the District of Columbia a body cor- 
porate and politic, by the name of the American Historical Association, 
for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation 
of historical manuscripts, and for kindred purposes in the interest of 
American history and of history in America. Said association is 
authorized to hold real and personal estate in the District of Columbia 
so far only as may be necessary to its lawful ends to an amount not 
exceeding $500,000, to adopt a constitution, and to make by-laws not 
inconsistent with law. Said association shall have its principal office 
at Washington, in the District of Columbia, and may hold its annual 
meetings in such places as the said incorporators su.all determine. Said 
association shall report annually to the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution concerning its proceedings and the condition of historical 
study in America. Said Secretary shall communicate to Congress the 
whole of such reports or such portion thereof as he shall see fit. The 
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution are authorized to permit said 
association to deposit its collections, manuscripts, books, pamphlets, 
and other material for history in the Smithsonian Institution or in the 
National Museum; at their discretion, upon such conditions and under 
such rules as they shall prescribe. 
(Stat., X XV, 640.) 
FIREPROOFING SMITHSONIAN BUILDING. 
May 21, 1888—Senate. 
Mr. J. 5. Morrmu. I am directed by the Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds to report a bill (S. 2972) to provide for making 
the west end of the Smithsonian Institution fireproof and for other 
purposes, which has been requested by the Secretary of the Smith- 
sonian Institution. 
That for the purpose of making the roof of the Gothic chapel at the west end of 
the Smithsonian building fireproof, and for other purposes, under the direction of 
the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, the sum of $17,500, or so much thereof 
as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated. 
Mr. Morriuu. I am also directed by the committee to ask for imme- 
diate consideration of the bill. 
The President pro tempore (Mr. J. J. InGauus). Is there objection ? 
There being no objection, the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, 
proceeded to consider the bill. 
Mr. Morrill explained the object of the bill. A citizen of the 
United States, long resident abroad, proposed to give to the Smith- 
sonian Institution a very large collection of armor from the Middle 
