[ 211 ] 36 



sand dollars, or so much of the same as may be required for that object, 

 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the treasury 

 .not otherwise appropriated. 



It will be observed that this bill leaves the matter wholly at the discre- 

 tion, first, of the corporation, and, secondly, of the Board of Regents. 

 Unless both concur to accept its provisions, it will be inoperative. The 

 undersigned do not know that either will accept them ; but that they will, 

 and that they ought to do so, they have given their reasons for believing. 



GEO. EVANS, 7 



WM. J. HOUGH, y Committee. 



ROBT. DALE OWEN, 3 

 Washington, February 13, 1847. 



Since the publication of the above, and the introduction into the Senate 

 by one of your committee of the bill referred to, the common council of 

 Washington, during their session of February 22, passed, by a vote of 17 to 

 3, a resolution to the effect " that it is the deliberate opinion of the 

 two boards that the proposed change would not comport with the in- 

 terests of the city." 



This vote, your committee think, shuts out all prospect of carrying out 

 the plan contemplated in the proposed bill ; and for that reason, though 

 after reflection has but confirmed the conviction of the propriety and util- 

 ity of that plan, they have abandoned it, and have ceased to urge through 

 Congress the passage of the bill in question. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



GEO. EVANS. 



WM. J. HOUGH. 



ROBT. DALE OWEN. 

 » 



The following resolution was offered by Mr. Seaton, and agreed to by 

 the board : 



Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to procure a 

 suitable seal for the institution, to comprehend the medallion head of 

 Smithson, surrounded by the words " Smithsonian Institution." 



The board adjourned, to meet on Saturday next, at 10 o'clock, a. m. 



SATURDAY, February 27, 1847. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, 



Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to ciuse to be instituted a 

 series of experiments to determine the economical value of the different 

 building materials used in the United States. 



Adjourned until Monday, at 10 o'clock. 



MONDAY, March 1, 1847. 



Mr. Preston appeared, and took his seat in the board. 

 Mr. Owen offered the following resolution, which was adopted: 

 Resolved, That the sum of five hundred dollars, or so much of the 

 same as may be necessary, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated to- 

 wards the expenses of the experiments heretofore authorized to be insti- 

 tuted to determine the economical value of the different building mate- 

 rials used in the United States. 



