[ 211 ] 26 



some of his theories, addressed to him by Oldenburg, first secretary of 

 the London Royal Society ; and the name of Arago, secretary of the 

 Academy of Sciences, of Paris, is known and honored wherever science 

 extends her sway. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



ROBERT DALE OWEN, 



Chairman. 



The board adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, meridian. 



TUESDAY, January 26, 184T. 



The board proceeded to the consideration of the series of resolutions 

 offered from the Committee on Organization, yesterday ; and, after debate, 

 they were agreed to, the series of resolutions being as follows : 



L Resolved, That it is expedient, and demanded by the will of the tes- 

 tator, that in our plan of organization the increase of knowledge by 

 original research should .form an essential feature ; that in furtherance of 

 this object, premiums be offered, at such times and to such amounts as 

 the board may hereafter decide, for original papers, containing positive 

 additions to the sum of human knowledge; and that these, together with 

 other suitable papers, be published in transactions of the institution, to 

 be entitled " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," and to be issued 

 'periodically or occasionally, in quarto form, as materials maybe obtained. 



2. Resolved^ That it is within the strict purpose of the trust, and may 

 materially advance its legitimate objects, occasionally to make specific 

 appropriations for definite lines of research, the results to be published 

 as above. 



3. Resolved, That, with a view to the diffusion of knowledge, there 

 may be included in the plan of organization the issuing of publications, in 

 brief and popular form, on subjects of general interest. 



4. Resolved, 'i'hat, with a similar object, there may also properly be 

 included in the plan of organization the issuing of periodical reports con- 

 taining records of the progress of knowledge in its different branches. 



5. Resolved, That there may also properly be included in the plan 

 free lectures, to be delivered by competent persons, on useful subjects ; 

 and that it may advantageously be made a part of the duty of the Secre- 

 tary and his assistants to give in the lecture rooms of the institution, at 

 stated periods, illustrations of discoveries in science and important inven- 

 tions in the arts. 



6. Resolved, That it is the intention of the act of Congress establishing 

 the institution, and in accordance with the design of Mr. Smithson, as 

 expressed in his will, that one of the principal modes of executing the 

 act and the trust is the accumulation of collections of specimens and ob- 

 jects of natural history and of elegant art, and the gradual formation of 

 a hbrary of valuable works pertaining to all departments of human 

 knowledge, to the end that a copious storehouse of materials of science, 

 literature, and art may be provided, which shall excite and diffuse the 

 love of learning among men, and. shall assist the original investigations 

 and efforts of those who may devote themselves to the pursuit of any 

 branch of knowledge. 



