(330) 
«¢ As soon as measures may be taken by the Regents of 
the University for the permanent preservation of the Botanic 
Garden, it is my intention immediately to commence the pub- 
lication of American Botany, ora Flora of the United States. 
In this work it is my design to give descriptions of the plant, 
its uses, etc. . . to be l/ustrated by a colored engraving in the 
same manner in which the plants of Great Britain have been 
published by Dr. J. E. Smith. Considerable progress has 
already been made in obtaining materials for this publication” 
. -‘¢ with drawings by James Inderwinck, a young gentleman 
of great genius and taste, and others by John [E] Le Conte 
Esq., and new collections by Mr. Pur 
But the regents could not obtain ae necessary public sup- 
port. The time was not ripe for a botanical garden at the 
public charge; and the existing business and financial con- 
ditions, the losses and depression from the prolonged embargo, 
the war with England, the closing of the National Bank, fol- 
lowed by irresponsible banking and a depreciated currency, 
were all adverse to grants of money for such purposes. The 
transfer of the grounds to Columbia in 1814, without any 
provision for the maintenance or preservation of the garden, 
of necessity sealed its fate sooner or later, since Columbia 
was then too weak to need it or to sustain it. 
THe Grant To CoLUMBIA NOT CONDITIONED UPON THE 
MAINTENANCE OF A BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
The act of 1814, by which this grant was made, was 
originally designed mainly for the benefit of Union College, 
and so it remained to the end; but four other institutions, 
including Columbia, were finally embraced init. The act 
is entitled, ‘‘ An Act enstetuting a Lottery for the promotion 
of Literature and for other purposes.” * 
After providing for the lottery and for the payment from 
its proceeds of $200,000, to Union College, and $74,000 to 
other institutions, the sixth section enacted: 
VI. * That all the right, title and interest of the People of 
the State in and to all that certain piece or parcel of land 
* Laws, 1814, Ch. 120. For its preamble and provisions for other colleges 
see post, p. 341. 
